Morning pleasant with a warm Wind. After reading Kotzebue for a sufficient time, I went to the Office as usual and was busy as usual with my regular work after which I read a portion of the “Bibliotheque de L’Homme Public” containing Maxims of Guicciardini which on the whole did not strike me, and a part of An Analysis of the State of 16France by Seigneur du Haillan.1 I was interrupted however by An Applicant for the Transfer of a Share in the Boylston Market, and by some other little bits of business of a trifling character yet seizing time. Took a walk.

After dinner I read the rest of the Oration for Rabirius which is but a fragment, and the first Oration against Catiline. It is a little remarkable that in the first of these two, Cicero contradicts the whole of his doctrine about a future state which he adopts in that for Cluentius. This would make it appear as if he suited his Opinions to the cases he argued, a principle which I cannot quite see the correctness of.

In the evening as Mrs. Dexter had sent in to ask us to spend the evening, My Wife and I feeling refusal to be impossible, paid her a visit. Judge Ward was there.2 She is a singular Woman, but not an unpleasant or an unkind one. Returned home to read Kotzebue and the Spectator.

Morning delightful—The air being soft as Midsummer. After reading an hour in Kotzebue and finishing the Voyage which ended in nothing, compared to the preparation that had been made for it, I went to the Office and found there a letter from my Father covering the Certificates of the Mass. Fire and Marine Ins. Shares. I therefore went directly and obtained the repayment of one fourth part of the Capital upon my Fathers and T. B. Adams Jrs. Shares which I deposited. This business being over I went back to my Office and sat down to answer my Father’s letter which did not appear to me to be exactly the thing I wanted. He never should have meddled with that Mill. I am afraid before he has done with it, the thing will ruin him.1 In this manner I was so much occupied that I was unable to do any thing else.

Returned home, and after dinner, Started for Quincy, with my Man Benjamin. Found the House in great disorder, as they were painting it, and in setting the new Posts they had unfixed every thing about the Fence very much. I went to find Mr. Veazie and talked with him in regard to the Work to be done.2 It seems Mr. Beale has been very labouriously expressing his Opinion about these matters. I think the interference of Neighbours very gratuitous. Went up to see the 17Judge and his lady and took Tea with them. After which I returned home. The former was sick.

Stopped at Mrs. Frothingham’s where my Wife and Miss Julia Gorham were spending the Evening. After sitting a little while, returned home. Read the Spectator and retired early.