Morning at the Office as usual—After going to Market which made my time nearly eleven o’clock before I got there. Engaged in writing my Journal, with an occasional interruption from visitors. One upon the Affair with Robert New and the debt due to his Estate by one Byrd who asks time for payment. I told him to settle it with my Attorney. Then Mr. Conant from Weston with a little more money. And so wasted the morning.

At dinner, I received a summons from the parties in the case of Storer and Farmer which I had not heard of before. This is a shocking 423business to be made so public, but I do not now see how it can be avoided.1 My poor brother’s reputation must be mangled in a Court of Law, and that in a suit to which he had no kind of compulsion to belong. I did not get over it all the afternoon, but I still persevered in reading the Oration against Verres which I finished. It was to distract my attention.

Evening, at home, after in vain trying to get tickets for the Theatre.2 I read to my Wife the rest of the Rivals. After which as usual the Latin Grammar and the Tatler.

The Winter which has been extremely severe on the whole, is now drawing to a close. This day we had a Southerly wind accompanied with rain by which the Snow began to disappear with considerable rapidity. I arose early and after going to my Office for a moment or two, obeyed the Summons to the Supreme Court. The Judge occupied some time in charging the Jury, and a Case was interposed by the Government so that the morning was entirely wasted. I was extremely shocked however to find Mr. J. C. Park engaged in the cause1 and more so when I saw that he had summoned the Girl2 as a Witness in the case. Dr. Tuckerman3 who was also summoned exerted himself to effect a compromise to refer it to Arbitrators and the whole morning was spent in the negotiation. I went home still in doubt.

As it happened Mr. Brooks, and two of his Sons, Chardon and Horatio dined with us, and I was compelled to play the agreeable. This was perhaps quite fortunate as it kept me from thinking painfully. I returned to Court at half past three o’clock and the business appeared in so unpromising a state that I had braced myself up to an exhibition before a crowded Court of the whole melancholy Story, when by the exertion of Counsel, the case was finally referred to three Gentlemen, Messrs. Pickering, Curtis and Shaw.4 This will at least make the affair more private and I thanked God with an overflowing heart that he had 424spared me this trial. Returned home, but I had been so excited during the day that I was not able to do any thing of consequence. Evening, French with my Wife. Read to her half of the Jealous Wife,5 after which Latin Grammar and the Tatler.