Morning cloudy, with a cold Northerly Wind. I read Aeschines for an hour and then went to the Office. My father having drawn upon me for a sum of Money according to his statement, I was obliged to go and make the necessary arrangements.1 This with my Accounts and superintending the repairs making to Mr. Welsh’s Office took up a great deal of my time. Mr. G. Veazie, the Carpenter came from Quincy and presented his Accounts for repairs made upon the House, which after consideration and discussion I paid.2 These repairs have been made in the most expensive way owing to my Father’s trusting it entirely to the Workmen and they are satisfying me every day that he would have done better to have built a house there at once.

Returned home with the intention of going to Quincy this afternoon but it began to rain and gradually increased until in the Night it became a tremendous Storm. I read the remainder of the Oration for Sylla and that for Archias. This has been too celebrated to need much remark. It is a beautiful little Ornament, sparkling like a Diamond, and with as little substance to recommend it. Perhaps this is severe. Evening, I read the Correspondence which Mr. Sparks drew up. After which the Spectator.

Morning clear though with a very violent Wind remaining as witness of the Storm. I read Aeschines and went to the Office, where I was occupied some time in my accounts after which I read several Articles in the North American Review, for this month. But it was quite surprising how little I thought of them. Somehow or other this publication has not any tone. Mr. Everett began well, but he suddenly became a Politician and that tied up his Fingers.

I had intended to have gone to Quincy but as the Wind was so high and Deacon Spear informed me it was very bad riding I did not think proper to go. Little or nothing else material took place.

Afternoon at home reading the two Orations addressed to the Senate and People upon his return from exile. They are full of compliments and amount to very little. Began that in defence of his House the land of which had been consecrated1 by Clodius, which is a much more important production.

Evening at home. Began reading Parry’s third Voyage to the North West which is comparatively uninteresting.2 After it, I began Franklin’s land Journey to the Polar Sea in 1819–20 and was much interested in the account of it.3 After which the Spectator.

Morning clear but cold and still windy though not so much as yesterday. I continued reading the Account of Franklin’s Journey which is much more agreeable than Mr. Hearne’s book. He proceeded much in the same track, but having more authority and stronger influence to aid him, he was not subjected to similar inconveniencies.

Attended divine Service and heard Dr. Lowell preach in the morning upon the prevailing rage for public Prayer and zealous Religion. He condemns it, perhaps justly but I have had my doubts whether for the less instructed classes it is not beneficial. I do not approve of it myself from any belief in extraordinary influences claimed for it, but 26I do not disapprove of it while it may be supposed to keep men out of mischief. Afternoon, Mr. Newell of Cambridge, a Common place Sermon upon the abuse of Riches, and their general ill effect.

Returned home, and wrote a letter to my Father, with one to T. B. Adams Jr. inclosing an Account of his Affairs for the last six Months.1 I was obliged to consume a part of the Evening before I could complete the copying and therefore did not read Parry. Continued Franklin and was unwilling to leave off, to read my usual Numbers of the Spectator.