The day was warm but threatened with many Clouds. I spent more than an hour after breakfast, copying papers for my father. After executing these, I got ready to go to town. Madame my Mother this day took leave of Quincy on her return to Washington. She has proved to me over again that her residence there is not an agreeable one to her. I suppose she would be glad not to try it again. What a misfortune has this taste been to my Father. When I think upon it I feel grieved at the result, but it is not remediable.

We did not reach town until twelve o’clock when I went directly down to my Office. Of course I had exceeding little time to do any thing. I executed my work of every day and returned home. My Mother dined with us and started although with a lowering sky upon her Journey. She goes as far as Watertown tonight. I was glad that she went as it relieves us here from the responsibility which would have rested upon us had she been at Quincy alone. But I felt melancholy upon losing her. For she has been very kind to us.

I read Cicero as usual, though from the multitude of Notes I did not progress very fast. Evening, Corinne, and Lady Morgan for a short time, but as my Wife was very much wearied from a sleepless night, she retired early and I read Mr. Drake’s Sketch of Addison, after which I reviewed the rest of the Eleventh Book of Paradise Lost, and read the Twelfth Book. Finished two Numbers of the Tatler.

Morning opened very fine, for which I was very glad as I hoped it would afford a fine opportunity for my Mother to get on in her Journey. I went to the Office as usual. My time was very much taken up in little occupations so that I had no chance to do any thing very considerable in my German. I went to see the Exhibition of Butter to obtain the Premium, and made no effort to buy any as I thought it went too high. I then went with Abby to pay a visit to Mrs. Lee the new Wife of Wm. Lee of Washington. She did not please me much by her address. Returned to my Office and thus the whole morning passed.

Afternoon, busied in Cicero de Oratore, the first book of which I finished—To me much the most interesting and apt to our present modes of thinking. I think I have now mastered it pretty thoroughly.

Evening attended a Meeting of the Debating Society, the Question proposed for discussion was the probable influence of the French revolution. It was very tamely debated. I had prepared myself for a previous Meeting which I was unable to attend, and thought I would not lose the opportunity for trying my Powers this year. I found they had improved.

Another fine day which I hope my Mother will be induced to improve, and thus take her out of the reach of our bad weather hereafter. According to my calculations she will reach Stafford Springs tonight.1 376I attended divine service all day, while my Wife went with her brother Chardon to Watertown and Medford. Heard Mr. Frothingham in the morning and Mr. Motte in the afternoon, but neither of them were interesting enough to excite my attention. The latter is infinitely stupid. His manner is absurd, his matter, bad taste. I do not know a poorer Preacher in Boston.

I pursued my occupations very quietly in my study all day. Read a portion of Mr. Drake’s sketch of Addison. Mr. Drake is a pleasant second hand Writer. His own thoughts are worth little, his compilations are in good taste and well selected to illustrate his subject. Proceeded with my Catalogue, and read a little of Enfield’s History of Philosophy2 in order to obtain a clearer idea of the Grecian Schools before passing to Cicero’s Philosophical Works. My Wife was so fatigued with her ride that she retired early. E. Quincy called upon a short visit. I read the larger part of Addison’s Critique upon Paradise Lost having finished my Review of the Twelfth Book last night. Two Numbers of the Tatler.