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.

Morning pleasant but it became cloudy and wet before night. I went to the Office and passed my time in my usual wasting way. Mr. Eddy called with a Notice of meeting of the Middlesex Canal. I spent a little time with Mr. Peabody, and the balance in reflecting upon the subject of Antimasonry which the Debating Society have taken up as a part of their subjects and the one to be discussed on Saturday. I may be called out upon it. Mr. Minot asked me to step in and look at some odd volumes of Mr. Welsh’s books which might have belonged to my Father. I did find a Volume of the Causes Celebres at which I was mightily pleased for this was one of my father’s broken sets.1

Afternoon. Began reading over Cicero’s Lucullus and from consulting Enfield and Middleton I found myself making much more rapid way than before. In Latin, a great deal depends upon having the subject well fixed in your mind.

In the evening I read to my Wife part of the Biography of George 4th, giving an account of the War on the Continent under Napoleon. 174I must read Walter Scott’s Biography of that wonderful man.2 Finished Condillac’s Art d’Ecrire from which I have got no new ideas. Indeed by this time I ought to know my A. B. C. and be out of leading strings. Read the Spectator.