Morning clear and pleasant. After my attention to Aeschines, I went to the Office and was first saluted by my Tenant Mrs. Proctor who came with excuses and part payment of her rent. I received both though not with a feeling of much comfort. My time was considerably interrupted. Mr. Peabody paid me a visit, having returned from Exeter and about some business which I was glad to see as he may be encouraged to continue his Office. Mr. Hewit called upon me. This was a visit upon that old business of Farmer’s. I could hardly have supposed that a man could have so many ways of teazing. He now proposes to publish, and this was one of Dr. Storer’s friends who was desirous of 33suppressing the publication by a bribe. I told him precisely my Opinion upon the folly of any attempt of the kind but at the same time as he seemed so anxious I told him I would do my share.1 I read but little in consequence of all this.

Dined with my Wife at P. Chardon Brooks’. He gave me some good Hock Wine. Returned home and read the remainder of the Oration de Resp. Harusp. together with a part of that for Plancius. Evening at home. Continued reading Walsh, and after it finished Mackenzie, and read the Spectator as usual.

Morning cloudy but it cleared away with a chilly East Wind of this Season of the Year. After reading Aeschines as usual I went to the Office where I occupied myself in my common way. Mr. Peabody came in and we had a pleasant conversation for some time. It is a very agreeable thing to talk with a well informed man of talent. How few in our Society are entitled to the character. I read in review of La Politique Naturelle but from some unaccountable reason or other I do not get along much in it. Yet I like it better than at first. Took a walk and returned home.

After dinner, employed with one interruption in reading the Oration for Plancius which appears to be one of the highest of the efforts of Cicero. I shall reserve what I think upon it until the time when I have finished and reviewed it.

Evening. My Wife wanted me to leave Walsh, and begin reading the second Volume of Moore’s Life of Byron which I did. The impression produced by any thing relating to that individual is melancholy. Having finished Mackenzie whose book I have been much interested in, I spent an hour in reading d’Israeli’s Second Series of Curiosities of Literature.1 A book of chips. I think these are rarely useful. After this, the usual numbers of the Spectator.

Morning cloudy with a disagreeable cold Easterly Wind and appearance of Rain, but it cleared away leaving nothing but the chill in the Air. Finished my Review of the Oration of Aeschines on the Crown and found it pretty much the same in my Opinion, perhaps not quite 34so good. There is more diffuseness, perhaps tautology in it than I had thought, but this may be owing to my not sufficiently comprehending the force of words, in the original language.

Went to the Office where I was busy in reading but not to much purpose. My power of attention is almost gone, in the morning at least. Had a conversation with Mr. Peabody and took a short walk. Mr. T. Davis also paid me a long and pleasant visit.

In the afternoon, I thought I would go out to Quincy and see how things looked before my father came on. My Servant went with me to set some Fir Trees I had purchased. On the whole, I was pretty well pleased and thought that my few directions had done a good deal to make the place look on the whole better than it had done for years. Remained busy until late, and returned home calling at the Judge’s on the way to inquire for Miss Adams whom I found better. A Short Evening at home, and the Spectator.