Morning very mild and pleasant. It would seem as if this month and the last had changed their places. I went to the Office and after my usual regular occupations, spent some time in reading the fourth volume of Gibbon’s History which contains the Romance of Julian. I call it a Romance because the Author evidently writes with great relish. He sets before us the fair side of the Picture very strongly. But 224this is perverting history. Spent half an hour in conversation with Mr. Peabody and an hour in walking.

Returned home and passed the Afternoon in reading part of the books 2 and 3 to Herennius. They continue the abstract. As a book to consult for the purpose of filling up a skeleton of a subject I should think it might be useful. But it is dry as a work to read.

Evening. Read a part of the Canterbury Tales to my Wife but we were interrupted by a visit from Judge Hall who came and passed an hour in conversation. He looks old and haggard. He says he is taken up very much by the business of his Office. Perhaps this is a very fortunate thing for him. His situation is now so lonely. After he went, I continued the sketch of Fuseli’s life and read some critical Articles inserted at length. But I do not think the Account makes a favourable impression. Read the twenty second book of the Iliad and the usual numbers of the Guardian.

Morning at the Office. Weather tolerably pleasant, though not quite so warm as it has been. My time passed quickly in settling Accounts and reading another Chapter of Gibbon upon the history of Julian. To show how much interest this author takes in his sketch it would only be necessary to look at the space it occupies in the general history. A mere period of sixteen months in which, though an attempt of some consequence was made, yet proved abortive and produced no permanent change, takes up half a volume. And the character of the man is brought forward rather as a slur upon the Christian faith, than as illustrating any portion of his period. Julian was undoubtedly remarkable in many points, but Constantine was more so. The latter brought about great things, the former very little.

Took a walk and in the Afternoon read part of the third and fourth books upon Rhetoric, the Commencement of the latter has some point to it. The Argument is a striking one, though the reasoning is scarcely conclusive.

Evening. My Wife and I went to Mr. Frothingham’s to hear his Choir sing. I was not much affected. Somehow these things got up for an occasion are laboured. The performers all seem to want to do too much. Retired and had time only to read the Guardian.

Morning at the Office. At ten o’clock I attended a Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Middlesex Canal to examine the state of 225affairs for the year. We had an uncommonly favourable Account, and declared a Dividend of Twenty two dollars upon a share, being by far the largest ever made. This gives my father quite a large sum for his share. And I do not know what to do with it, but my present mind is to invest it if possible.1 Took a short walk to the Athenaeum and home.

My Afternoon was consumed partly in bottling Wine, partly in attending upon a Committee to examine the Agent’s books and certify to the Proprietors of the Canal that they are correct. This is a tedious affair. It took up about two hours. The encouragement this will give to the holders of Canal Stock will probably raise the price of their Shares and bring on some speculation. Would it not be wise for some large Proprietors like my father to take advantage of it? I will consult him upon it. Returned home and passed the rest of the evening in reading to my Wife. Afterwards I read Fuseli’s life which is a poor thing, and the usual numbers of the Guardian.