The morning set in dark and hazy, and it soon began raining, and continued hard and steady during the whole day. I went down to the Office and sat there all the morning without serious interruption. I began the work of Pufendorf but unaccountably I could gain very 69little ground indeed in the pursuit of it. The author appeared difficult and my mind was in one of those moods when it seemed impossible to fix it to any thing permanent so that I spent the time in reading over the first Chapter without the Notes, which I postponed to some other time. But was discontented with my morning. I tried to see Mr. Brooks but could not succeed. Dr. Welsh came in for a single moment to inquire whether in making an appraisement of the books of a deceased person, they should be valued singly or in the Mass. I told him that I had in my brother’s case pursued the former plan and thought it much the most advisable, but was doubtful whether it was generally practised.

After dinner, I read a considerable portion of Aeschines and translated what I had read yesterday. But it occupied me fully for the entire afternoon so that I had the evening only which I passed in reading Clarissa Harlowe to Abby. This book possesses considerable interest although it does trail into interminable longueurs. Richardson had great talent at description and that until it extended to objects of the smallest and minutest nature–and his mind was not so exalted as to be able to look beyond them, at higher and more distinguished marks. I am glad to have a chance to read loud as it exercises my lungs which have been for some time unused to public delivery. After Abby retired I read La Harpe’s Chapter on the Philosophy of Plutarch.

The rain ceased during the Night but gave way only to a high Wind and chilly weather. As we were disappointed in not being able to go to Medford yesterday we determined upon going this morning. I sent and borrowed the loan of Chardon’s Gig and horse, and we went out accordingly, in time to attend Meeting, and warm ourselves a little previously. We found Miss Parks there on a visit to her Aunt, otherwise the family as usual.1 We attended at Meeting and heard Mr. Edward B. Hall, the gentleman who came to see us on Wednesday. He is in bad health, and for the first time preached today. His Sermons were tolerably well calculated for effect among an audience of commonly informed people and were practical enough. But the ideas were ordinary and common place. His powers are not very great. But he seems to have cultivated what he had with zeal and success. His illness and the destitute circumstances in which his abandoning his profession would leave him, render him rather an object for sympathy and compassion.2 Mr. and Mrs. Everett were at Meeting 70in the afternoon, and were at the House for a few Moments. He seems to be a little depressed and she very considerably so. And what reason have they for such feelings; not much. But so it is, the perversion of feelings of nature. She mourns for what others and I would consider a blessing.3 In the evening, as the night was fine, Mr. Brooks asked me to go down and see Mr. Jonathan Brooks and his family, which I accordingly did with him. Mr. Jonathan was not at home, but we saw his daughters and sat with them, some time. The elder is goodnatured, but they are both foolish from a sense of blue stockingism which makes them appear to pretend more than they are worth.4 Mrs. Stetson, the Minister’s Wife was there also.5 We returned early and retired soon after.