Morning fair, but it afterwards clouded up and rained very heavily in the Afternoon. After reading nearly all the rest of the third Olynthiac, I went to the Office and occupied myself in writing but to little purpose. My Articles did not suit me and what is more I doubted the expediency of my writing any at all. But that must be judged of at the end. I must confess every day adds to my conviction that I can not write now with so much ease as I could have done a year ago.

Returned home early. Found my Mother who had come in again. I forgot to mention that I called upon Mr. Brooks and he entered into conversation upon his prospects for the Winter. I gave him an invita-163tion to pass it with us, and he seemed pleased with the idea. He spoke with a good deal of feeling of his situation, and made me sympathize with him a great deal.1

After dinner I was compelled to attend a Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Boylston Market Association on the usual business of a month, though the day had been set forward to accommodate the Clerk of the Market.

Returned in the rain and got myself quite wet. My Mother concluded not to leave town tonight.

Evening, I went out to a party at Mrs. Wm. Smith’s given to the bride of her Son.2 The rain had disappointed her of much of her company but there were still many. It cleared when I went home. Read a little of Miss Edgeworth, and the Spectator.

Morning fair. My Wife was informed that one of her Domestics was taken ill in the night and this put us in considerable confusion. My Mother and the rest left town at ten, and I do not expect to see them again this year.1 I regret their absence more and more. We have all spent the Summer in an unusually pleasant manner, and I have been myself relieved from a good deal of care and responsibility. It is a little singular that during this Summer we should have been so unlucky in Housekeeping, and perhaps it is the worse from the contrast it presents to living with others. I regret more on the account of others than myself.

Went to the Office, but my time passed without much profit. I am a trifler in life and all my good resolutions are vanishing into thin Air. So much for me. Took a short walk and returned home. Finished in the Afternoon the letters to Atticus. I am glad I have had the perseverance to accomplish them. Indeed they are on the whole interesting, and give the only true key to the character of the man. But they require great attention. The Greek bits of quotation are pleasant but sometimes obscure, the allusions are totally lost or but partially seen.

Evening very quiet. I read a part of Miss Edgeworth’s Practical Education. I like this book much. There are many very sensible views in it of the nature of Children’s minds. My own impression is that clearness is the great requisite and that this is lost nine times in ten 164because Children catch the words of their superiors without their ideas. Read the Spectator.