Dark with drizzle and an Easterly Wind. Arose late. I spent my morning in a variety of ways. Completed my Journal in the first place. Then took a turn to the Wharf to fish but found the Tide had been too quick for me. Wet my feet in trying to get bait without effect. Got back and after changing my dress, read the letters of Pacificus and Helvidius upon the proclamation of neutrality. Also, more of the Debates in the Massachusetts Convention. All the talent in the State was arrayed in its favour, against the majority perhaps in numbers. Had the objections been better conducted the decision would perhaps have been less fortunate.

After dinner read part of the 13th book of Cicero’s letters to Atticus, but the afternoons are growing so short that the progress in them is not so great. Read also Bacon’s Essay, of Deformity. Conversation with my father upon Politics, and then we all went to Mrs. Baxter’s 152party. Few or no Quincy People but some from Milton. It was quite handsome though dull. My father and I walked home and I read the Spectator.

Morning clear and fine but a North Wester sprung up that made it pretty cool. After breakfast, I thought I would go down and fish. The sport was fine for about an hour and a half. I caught thirty and returned home quite satisfied.

Afternoon, finished the remainder of the thirteenth book of the Letters to Atticus. But it was so cold in the Office as to make staying there quite uncomfortable. Every thing now strongly reminds me that I ought to be at home. Yet I know my Wife will feel so badly at being left upon her own resources, that I do not like to press her going. Nothing of any consequence during the day. Read Bacon’s Essay on building and in the Evening Mr. Beale and his daughter spent the evening. I resumed Gillies and read the Spectator.

Morning clear and warm. I passed it in a pretty unsatisfactory way, unless I may consider myself as having provided my father’s table with its best dish. I went to fish, and soon after my Mother and I. Hull joined us. We had excellent sport, catching more than seven dozen of Smelts among us. But it took us until dinner time.

On my return it was growing cooler. And the Office is so uncomfortable without a fire, I passed the time in weeding a bed of Strawberries in the Garden. My father in all practical matters wants the power of executing any thing like a connected system. The consequence is that his farm, his house, his garden are all exhibiting the progress of decay. His Property generally is in the hands of his Agents, a matter depending more upon their honour than his attention.

Miss E. C. Adams passed the Afternoon and Evening here. I tried to read a little of Cicero but the letters to Atticus require great attention. Finished all of Dr. Gillies’ history that related to the period of Demosthenes and was surprised to find how meagre it is. Also the Spectator.

Morning clear, but the wind came round East and the consequence was that it clouded and became cold. Miss Roberdeau accompanied 153me in a Chaise to town. We reached there at ten o’clock. And I immediately set about the business of collecting the Dividends due this month. This occupied me two hours as I was obliged to go to the Boylston Market. On my return, I found Mr. Conant from Weston, with whom I made a settlement of the sales of Wood at Weston last year and agreed upon a time for another sale. I hope that it will do better this Season, than it has yet done. I then went to the House to make a settlement with my Man Servant, and after this consumed the rest of the morning, in making up the Accounts. This Quarter has been unusually productive.

I went to dine at Mr. Frothingham’s, with a party of several of our own family, i.e. my Mother, Wife and Miss Roberdeau. We started early and got into Quincy before Sunset. Evening, I could do little being fatigued from my exercise. So I read the Spectator and went to bed.