Very high wind with heavy rain during the day. I could not remain at the Office with any comfort. So I concluded to abandon my regular plan of study, and to go into the House, where I might take up Mr. Jefferson’s Memoir. This I did and read a considerable portion of it relating to the period of our Revolution. But as it stopped raining I thought I would for exercise go down and try fishing, but the wind was so high I could catch nothing so that I soon returned home.

Afternoon. Read but slowly and superficially some of the fourteenth Book of Letters to Atticus. The Afternoons now grow so short as to prevent much study. I was also excessively drowsy and required exertion to keep me awake.

Today, I experienced for the first time a strong desire to be at home—As the weather makes the House here pretty cheerless. My 155Wife has however recovered so much that I feel quite thankful for our visit here. Miss Roberdeau was quite dull today and could not enliven herself with music. I read one or two Articles in the North American Review, and was very much disgusted with them. Read an Essay of Bacon’s “Of Negotiating” and the Spectator. We had an alarm from a Chair cover catching fire in my Wife’s room.

Morning cloudy with high wind from the Westward throughout the day. I was occupied the larger part of the morning in reading parts of one of Almon’s Volumes of Prior Documents. They contain Papers relating to the early period of our commotions in this Country before the Revolution, which are highly valuable as historical memorials.1 Indeed it is not easy to see the truth without their assistance. I had my mind very much enlightened in the course of the very short time which I could devote to them. Strange as it may be, I had at best but a very undefined idea of the Congress of 1765 which was the first Assemblage of Representatives from the different States.

Occupied myself an hour afterwards in pruning and arranging the Trees which I have been rearing for some years. Afternoon, reading Cicero’s letters to Atticus and finished the fourteenth book. Evening, Miss Roberdeau, Abby and I went to my Uncle the Judge’s. Found there the usual family. But I take very little pleasure in visiting now at that house, as the tone at present prevailing there, is not to my taste at all. Returned early. Read an Essay of Bacon’s on Followers and Friends and two numbers of the Spectator.

Morning very bright though cool. I went to town. My time was very much taken up first in paying a visit to Mrs. Frothingham’s, then to my house, then to collect Dividends and afterwards at my Office making up and settling Accounts. Mr. Forbes called and settled his Account and I payed him an Amount pretty large for Six Months. The hours flew and I was barely in time to get home to dine. Mr. and Mrs. Frothingham were there as they had agreed to be and Mr. Alexr. Townsend was also there without any agreement. This was one of those cross accidents which will sometimes happen to mar intended sport. My father could not well avoid being civil to him much against 156his Will. We had plenty of music and some very good.1 They went early and left us again quite alone at home. But there soon came a supply of Company. For all the Quincy People seemed to come together as if by invitation.2 They spent the evening. I read Bacon’s Essay on Suitors, and the Spectators as usual.