Morning cold with the Wind setting from the Eastward and every prospect of a long storm. This is rather a gloomy beginning. My night’s rest was considerably disturbed by the child, the care of which now falls upon her Mother entirely. I arose early and began my way of life by spending my time morning and afternoon in the following order, this being what I propose to establish during my residence out here. First, my Diary, then, as I cannot find here the Oration upon the Embassy, the first Philippic in an Edition by one Richard Mounteney, which has been interlined by my father,1 and which shows his labour though not his scholarship. At least he makes several errors. Then the Papers of the Federalist connected with the History of the Confederation and Constitution. This makes the morning.

Afternoon, the Letters to Atticus. This, with the usual small Tasks such as the Essay of Bacon and the Spectator, will make the amount of my labour.

Evening, I sat a little while with Madame and then walked with 138my Father to my Uncle’s, the Judge’s. Found him rather better I thought than when I went away. He talked more and with rather more spirit. I returned to him the trifles he put into my hands and was very glad to be relieved of the responsibility attending them.2 We returned home and I after reading a little of Mrs. Royall’s last,3 retired rather early.

The morning opened cheerless and dark, but we established a good counterpoise to the effect of the weather without, by making comfortable fires. I went to the Office however and remained there until driven in by the cold.1 Performed my usual series of duties. Finished the first Philippic which I regard as a very powerful production. Short but clear and developing a policy according to the rules recommended by the Rhetoricians, in such a manner as to instruct, to please and to excite his Auditors. I am glad circumstances turned my Attention to it. Continued reading the Federalist and examined the Numbers relating to the dangers to the States. It is a little singular that the contingency likely to take place, was never foreseen by any of the Writers for the Federalist. They judged only from what they had seen, partial insurrections in particular States, but they did not extend their vision to what seems now as one of the most easily to be foreseen occurrences, the discontent of a State. The spirit of the reasoning however goes to show the total absurdity of the doctrine now advanced respecting the part that the States as separate Governments have in the original compact.

Afternoon, after an hour in the Garden, I continued the Letters to Atticus. The period of Cicero’s Proconsulship is on the whole one of the most creditable portions of his career. He abstained from the Commission of any of the enormities so usual with the Roman Provincial Governors. Yet so little had he in his mind the principles of true morality, which directs human conduct in the path of virtue, by motives drawn from its innate value, that in all the letters to Atticus, it is plain he regards the fame, the reputation of this world as the 139 image great object to be gained. Perhaps even this is a great deal, apart from the knowledge given us through the religion of Christ.

Read Bacon’s Essay on the true greatness of Kingdoms and Estates, and two numbers of the Spectator. Evening with the Ladies, read aloud from the Young Duke.2