My time slipped away so fast this morning that I had only half an hour to continue Demosthenes. Walked into town with my Wife to make purchases. I think she is becoming gradually stronger, and hope that another fortnight will quite restore her. I read the numbers of the Federalist upon the Judiciary and was much pleased with them. As an 148instance of how much passes from the mind, it may as well be said that I have read the Federalist twice before, and yet it is now quite new to me. Continued the Debates in the Massachusetts Convention which amuse me more and more. The mind of man is generally but a weak affair, and no better proof of it can be produced than the incorrectness of the objections made to the Constitution, the features which have proved most faulty, were those least opposed or most approved.

After dinner I went down for amusement to fish, but I could not find that there were any smelts come up yet. I spent two hours in doing nothing and then returned. Read Bacon’s Essay on Custom and Education.

Evening a Party of Quincy People at M. T. Greenleaf’s, from which I was glad to get home and read the Spectator.

Morning cool but fine weather. I remained quietly at home and finished the review of the first Philippic and of the first Olynthiac, but I want Reiske’s edition to make the study thorough. I do not think I ever saw a work more complete in itself than that edition of Reiske. As a model for editions to satisfy students it is deserving of imitation, though rather too heavy for very general use.1 I finished to day the numbers of the Federalist and have been on the whole very much benefitted by this examination of it. I now propose to read the Debates in the Conventions of the several States. They are curious enough.

Afternoon, began the letters to Atticus, but I thought that for exercise I would try to fish again, with yesterday’s success. Read Bacon’s Essay upon Fortune and in the evening went with the ladies to Mrs. Josiah Quincy’s. We found a few of the same set, and had a musical party. Miss Roberdeau and Mr. R. Apthorp2 making the substance of it. Returned at ten, myself walking, and finished by reading two numbers of the Spectator.