Morning cloudy with occasional rain. I went to the Office as usual and occupied myself in a variety of ways. First in my Accounts which have latterly created some trouble, then in my Journal, and afterwards in my German which does not progress at all. I want some book to begin and translate, and I feel at this moment unwilling to afford one, my means being much shortened by the investment made some time since. Called for a few minutes to see Mr. Brooks and told him that I should not send for the Trees if it rained tomorrow, otherwise, I had made all the arrangements.1 Mr. Hayden called to pay me his rent for one of the Tenements. He did not give a very favourable account of the other Tenant’s ability to pay, so that these are not 369likely to be so soon off my hands. But he wants the front house, himself. I could not take my usual walk this morning.

Afternoon, read and finished Cicero’s Second Book de Oratore, the latter part of which becomes interesting again. The doctrine of Artificial Memory is there very distinctly laid down and seems to have been used much more fully than it is in our day. Evening, Corinne with my Wife, after which I turned over the pages of Dodsley’s Collection2 without finding much of interest. Finished the Ninth Book of Paradise Lost, and reviewed the first half, and read two Numbers of the Tatler.

Our weather today was violently stormy notwithstanding the long continuation of the bad season. The rain set in at eleven o’clock and it continued all day. I had no expectation therefore of seeing my father’s man, Kirke, though it was the appointed day for the Trees. He came however, and I sent him accordingly. He must have had a terrific day of it. I went to the Office and was busy in my Accounts, after which I spent a considerable and uninterrupted period upon my German. I tried to translate some passages that came in my way and felt quite encouraged by my success. I think my former knowledge must assist me insensibly, for on looking attentively upon words, I can trace their meaning often very easily.

Returned home and although my Study was exceedingly uncomfortable from the quantity of smoke that was in it, I succeeded in making a great deal of progress in the third book de Oratore, which is a model for beautiful style, being a practical example of a sound theory. Part of the Evening, Corinne, the other part, writing my Catalogue which the short days delay still more. Afterwards, I was occupied in reading part of the tenth Book of Paradise Lost, besides finishing the review of the Ninth. And two Numbers of the Tatler.

The air had a much colder feeling this morning, and more suitable to the advanced period of the Season. But it was still cloudy and drizzle. I went to the Office, where I read my German as usual, only interrupted by several applicants for my small House and by Mr. 370Curtis who called expecting to meet here Mr. D. Greenleaf to finish the business of the Neponset Bridge Shares. But the latter did not come.1 I then went to the Athenaeum to obtain one or two books instead of my old ones which I have already kept too long. Met Edward Brooks there and we conversed some time upon indifferent matters taking up the time until two o’clock.

After dinner, I was occupied upon Cicero de Oratore for some time, but my study again smoked so much I had my attention very much broken. I completed however the second portion of the third Book—Though relapsing a little into my superficial mode of reading. This will cause a review, which will I hope be now pretty thorough. I think this book is worth most attentive study by any one who wishes to learn the principles of Oratory. I read besides the usual quantity of Corinne with my Wife, a little of Lady Morgan’s Book of the Boudoir, a Work I have heard much derided.2 Afterwards Finished the Tenth Book of Paradise Lost and reviewed a part of it, besides reading my Two Numbers of the Tatler.