The day was dark and rainy. I read Aeschines as usual and went to the office where my time was passed with little interruption in reading and my usual occupations. Completed a Dissertation by Condorcet upon the question whether Errors are at any time useful in government.1 It is not very valuable, as the tendency of it is to weaken the belief in true Institutions the practical benefit of which no reasonable man can doubt. My own notion is that Religion is necessary to the human mind, and, even if I suppose it an error which I never could, that the error is practically productive of much of the whole amount of human happiness. This is an argument about which I should never reason, nor think of weighing the logical sentences of Condorcet or even much better writers. In truth if there is any thing which leads me more particularly to doubt the great benefits of the spirit of Revolution which is overrunning the Continent of Europe, it is the connection which seems evident between it and Scepticism. This leads to the unsettlement of all Society and brings us to a State of utter confusion.

Walked down to the Athenaeum where I looked over the European Papers. Full of moment. Afternoon, continued the Oration pro domo sua. It displays a good deal of vanity, let him say what he will, yet these little things are not to be weighed in the great scale of merit.

Evening, Mr. N. Hall, a Cousin of my Wife took Tea and passed the Evening. After which, I began reading Mackenzie’s Track to the Arctic Ocean,2 and my usual numbers of the Spectator.

Nothing but rain, which today afforded us only the variety of heavy and light drops. I passed the morning in reading some Articles in the Quarterly Review upon the nature of the North West passage. They were written previous to the Northern discoveries lately made by Parry, and show on the whole much correctness, although clearly and rather arrogantly wrong in some particulars—The whole doctrine of the Polar basin being very probably incorrect in all its parts. The subject however has not lost its interest.1

I attended Divine Service all day and heard Mr. Frothingham upon the subject of fear as making a part of Religion. He was not interesting. Afternoon, Mackenzie whose first Voyage I finished. It is an important link in the Chain of evidence relating to the Artic Sea, and seems to deserve more attention than it at first obtained. Men are incredulous animals sometimes. The fact is there is no fixing a true limit for believing and disbelieving.

Mr. N. Hall dined here. He is studying Theology after having been Secretary of an Insurance Office. Could not resist his feelings. Poor fellow, I pity him. He forgets the fact that Wealth gives Power, learning only indigence and contempt.

Read Parry and finished this last Work. Every thing that Man could do he did, and his labours had little success only because he tried things next to impossible. The Spectator.

Morning clear and pleasant weather. After an hour devoted to Aeschines, I went to the Office. My quiet pursuits interrupted somewhat this morning by business, for Mr. Conant, the Tenant of the Weston Farm came in and proceeded to settlement for the Wood sold last November as also for the Rent of said Farm for the past Year. This was very far from unwelcome as I had paid out so much for my father as not to leave sufficient to pay me my regular compensation, 31due the first of the Month. The counting, assorting, changing, and depositing the Money, with the Receipts and charges took up so much time that I had no opportunity to resume my reading. Walked to the Athenaeum and obtained a book. I find this place more attractive and my Office less so every day. But I must not neglect what I receive a consideration for.

Afternoon finished the Oration pro domo sua. Cicero thought this one of his best. It certainly has great power but it does not please me so much as many others. I like the earlier Orations best. There is not so much egotism which will be disgusting let apologists say what they may. The invective is powerful however, and Clodius if he had any feeling must have quivered under it.

Evening, began Dr. Walsh’s Journey from Constantinople1 aloud to my Wife. After which Mackenzie’s Journey to the Pacific, and the Spectator.