Very heavy rain this morning with a high Easterly Wind which continued throughout the day. I continued Franklin being unable to prosecute my regular studies on account of my disordered room. Then to the Office where much time was wasted in a long conversation with Mr. Peabody, and a little in writing a political Article upon the late Affair at Washington. But what is the use of this. I will say in excuse for myself that I forgot to bring down my book of regular reading and was thus without employ.

Home, after dinner my study having become fit to enter upon again, I continued the Oration for Plancius which I do extremely admire. The tone is so admirable and the principles it displays are highly valuable. The Story of his return from his Quaestorship is good, and fairly told. Many a man has felt equal mortification and said nothing about it. I did not quite finish it.

Evening, reading Moore’s Life of Byron. Walsh calls it “the Life of a Profligate written by an Accomplice.” Interrupted by Edmund Quincy who staid so late, that I had only a few Minutes, in which however, I finished Franklin’s Journal and my usual numbers of the Spectator.

The heavy rain continues though with little Wind. I am anxious for my father’s family who must be somewhere upon the Road. Resumed the reading of Demosthenes and made rapid progress in it. The Text is easier than that of Aeschines which I mastered more slowly but more thoroughly. At the Office where after my usual occupations, I continued my Article which I am trying to make able. Col. J. B. Davis called upon me and I agreed to send it to him. Attended a Meeting of the Bar of Suffolk for the first time.1 It was upon the application of a person for admission and of another for dismission.

Returned home and in the Afternoon, read the remainder of the Oration for Plancius. On the whole, this pleases me particularly. The tone of it is a relief from the general invective, the management of the feelings both of opponent, Judges and Client is wonderful, and the beauty of the principles laid down as well as the language, in his defence of himself, all these make this Oration in my opinion among his very best. I began the Oration for Sextius.

The day was dark and cheerless, and my Wife’s spirits seemed to flag. Continued reading to her from Moore’s Life of Byron after which 38I read some of Dr. Richardson’s Appendix to Franklin’s Journal,2 and the Spectator.