Morning chilly and many Clouds reminding us of the rapid approach of Winter. I was at my Office all the morning and occupied in reading a part of the Memoir of Arthur Lee which is interesting. He certainly took a very considerable part in the early Stages of the revolution and that on a stage where he was in some measure alone. I found some letters from my Grandfather which struck me as favourably as any thing I had ever read of his.1 The force and fire which was so characteristic of him are both to be found here in full strength. Arthur Lee was apparently a favourite of his. I read also a little of Marshall. My interruptions were numerous but not long. Richardson came in only for a few minutes to warm himself, Mr. Curtis with a letter for my Father which he wished to send directly and Mr. Clapp the Mason to consult about the Rumford at Quincy. My father wants every thing put into it, which will materially increase the expense and be of little use. I gave the Mason my own opinion and he went to follow it.

After dinner and continuing my Catalogue I commenced the Oration of Aeschines upon the Crown and read twenty lines for my afternoon’s work. It was not as difficult as I anticipated and I had time after translating them to read the Summary of Auger and his remarks upon the two Orations. My afternoon was thus well and usefully employed. Evening passed downstairs with Abby, and read the second part of the Menageries published by the Society for Useful 61Knowledge containing the Account of the Camel and the Deer. But it seems to me the publication would be more useful if it took the Horse and the Cow, animals which we know by observation, but of which we may still desire information. Read five Chapters of John.

Morning at the Office, a Cold Storm threatening us all day. I was engaged in reading the Memoirs of Arthur Lee which I found quite interesting. The foreign transactions of the United States are fully developed in them, with some slight reflection upon the character of Franklin. This is not much of a favourite with me. There is too much selfishness in his philosophy, though I do not doubt that it has been serviceable in the world.1 My interruptions this morning were numerous. Mr. Tarbell came up to see me having heard I had called once or twice. I inquired what was to be done with Titcomb who has been so long on my hands,2 and with the other accounts which I have in my possession; he told me to begin again with the first and do as well as I could with the others. He sat with me talking half an hour pleasantly enough upon subjects in general, and then gave way to Col. Davis, who came to ask when my father would be in town for he wished to see him to which I gave as a reply that I could not tell. Mr. Danl. Hollis is the Carpenter superintending my father’s houses and called to get instructions as heretofore directed. I went to look at the House behind the Office and found it in wretched condition. I told him that at present nothing could be done, that I must wait until the present tenancy expired, but that then I expected him to do a great deal. Luckily I have contrived to run up against him as I have indeed with all the Tenants, a pretty heavy bill of arrears for rent, and this will go a good way towards the expenses for repairs which will now be found necessary.

Dined at Mr. Frothingham’s with Abby. Nobody else. Tolerably pleasant although nothing remarkable. But I felt more at home. We were amused with a letter from Sidney Brooks’ wife to mine, full of her usual nothings.3 After dinner, I walked again to the Store of Messrs. John D. and M. Williams and succeeded this time in making a selection of some Wine. I purchased some Sherry at two dollars the gallon, thinking that if it turned out well I should then like to keep some of it as choice Wine, which I could not do if I bought cheaper, however fine it might prove. There is much Charlatanerie about Wine 62especially in the name. And I have seen so much of it as to induce me to make an experiment thereupon.4 Returned to my Study too late to do anything in the regular way, so I continued La Harpe’s Analysis of Cicero’s Orations, until late, when I again went to Mr. Frothingham’s to call for my Wife. The night was very stormy but we reached home before the floods came.