It is hardly necessary to make any allusion to the weather while we have constant clouds and rain. I have never known a season at all like 312this. The Crops will probably be very much cut off. Attended divine service all day, though I felt myself suffering from one of the head achs which have lately afflicted me occasionally. Mr. Mott preached and as I thought with considerable amendment since I last heard him. His morning Sermon was upon the cultivation of a pious character by the regulation of thought. That in the afternoon I felt unable to follow. Indeed my whole day was thrown away as it usually is in cases of such mental debility occasioned by bodily pain.

I looked over an old file of letters of my Grandfather without energy or method in re-arranging them. And I read the remainder of Massillon’s Panegyric of Louis 14, with a part of that upon the Dutchess of Orleans, not having any ideas arise from it. It is prostrating to the vanity of the human intellect to think how totally a trifle may unnerve it. Evening, Mr. Price Greenleaf called and passed an hour pleasantly. I retired early.

I had designed going to town today, but the clouds threatened rain so much that I felt unwilling to trust myself. After balancing a longer time than was necessary, I sat down and made considerable progress in Thucydides. This writer is worth studying on account of his moderation and his sententiousness. I propose hereafter to translate some of the principal passages. The Sun came out with some force at Noon, and I felt a little the indisposition of yesterday so that I did not stay out long.

Afternoon, finished the second book of Seneca de Ira. I admire much of the wisdom contained in it. The forgiveness of injuries is perhaps the greatest pagan approximation to the doctrines of the Christian Religion. But he mixes with it advice which does not suit a Code of Ethics or a Moral Philosopher however well it may turn out practically in life. Submission to the caprices of the powerful is a maxim of policy for a tyrant’s Court, not a principle of morals which lead to setting aside artificial distinctions. I passed an hour or more in a visit to our neighbour Beale who seems to feel alone in the world. He wants to be married again but hardly dares express it.1 The night was clear.