The day was lovely. I did not read any of the Oration because I went out earlier than usual. The days have become short and my hour is therefore very much pressed upon. Indeed I am much inclined to think I must give up my Greek for the Winter. So it is. My energy is fast disappearing. The common current of life is too strong for my swimming against it. And I must soon be content to be swallowed up in its vortex. The last six months have produced a wonderful revolution in me. They have done more to extinguish the fire of my character than years. Perhaps the reflection that I have a child has been the secret of it,1 that I am not a close in the course of the family. Be this as it may, here am I with much less spirit and more indolence.

Read a good deal of the Debates in the Virginia Convention2 and 172wondered at the folly of Mr. Henry who seems to have worked himself into madness at the idea of the grand consolidated government.

Took a walk. Afternoon read part of Cicero’s Lucullus. It contains an argument against the Philosophy which doubted of matter, but it requires with me a second perusal.

Evening finished the 1st Volume of the Life of George 4th and went to Mrs. Pickman’s party to the Bride Mrs. Smith. All the fashion there. Returned early. Read the Spectator. The Woman still the same.

Weather continues fine. I went to the Office a little earlier than usual. Engaged in a variety of occupations. Wrote to J. Brown about an application made for the printing of my father’s biography.1 Also to J. Minot and J. Y. Champney dunning letters.2 Then to the Athenaeum where I spent nearly two hours gleaning the Newspapers, and looking at new publications of which there is certainly an abundance. Then home.

In the Afternoon I continued the Lucullus of Cicero to which I give in the first place a very superficial reading. The argument is a singular one but the truth probably was not precisely on either side. As usual, it will be somewhere in the middle.

Evening, read to my Wife a little more of the Life of George 4th explaining a period of history of which I am shamefully ignorant. Particularly, the causes of the Addington Administration. Afterward as I could not get Mackintosh’s second Volume, I began Fuseli’s Lectures in order to gain some ideas of Painting,3 as on this subject my knowledge is very superficial. How many things there are of which we know absolutely nothing. We who claim the reputation of educated men. The Spectator as usual. The woman is slightly better. Her Mother in coming to her has met with an accident and dislocated her shoulder.

Morning pleasant, but the wind changed soon and it grew hazy 173with all the appearance of bad weather. After attending to the expediting of the Flower Roots for my Mother, I went to the Office and was occupied there as usual. Received a short letter from my Father at New York which I propose to answer as soon as I think he will get to Washington. He seems to me not to be taking judicious measures.1 Read some of the Virginia Debates in which I was struck with the views of Mr. Madison. They seem to me to reach the truth. Took a walk.

Afternoon finished Lucullus. But I must read it well over again. The doctrine is necessarily obscure. It takes me a great while longer than it ought to attend to my fire. This must be mended.

I spent the evening reading Fuseli excepting a couple of hours at Mr. F. Parkman’s where my Wife took Tea. There was a party of that family which is extensive and clans together very much. We returned at ten. I read a little of Condillac and the Spectator. I find a peculiarity in most of Steele’s papers which betrays very much the character of his mind. The constant introduction of some allusion to sex, showing that he was one of a numerous class who indulge their imaginations until it becomes a habit.