Morning cloudy and mild. The Weather is on the whole fine for the Season. Morning passed in reading Lingard, previous to divine Service which I attended all day. It was Communion day, and Mr. Whitney preached two Sermons the purport of which did not make the least impression upon my mind. My habit of attention built up with so much care last Winter, has nearly vanished.

Miss Smith dined at our house. I can account for my Afternoon, by having read a little of Lingard and a Sermon of one John Balguy upon Censoriousness in a Collection called the English Preacher.1 I tried to find some Account of the Author but did not succeed. We want a later biographical Work.2 I thought the Discourse good, but not so superior as I had been led to expect from the character given to him in a number I once saw of the Edinburgh Review.

Quiet evening. Conversation. Finished the second Volume of Lingard, and read the Idler as usual.

Morning cloudy but it did not rain. The weather remained doubtful until evening when it cleared away. I went to town. Engaged all the morning in Accounts, when after examination I settled my own and those of all parties. Received the various Dividends remaining due, and adjusted the balances all round. Walked to the Athenaeum to read the News but found nothing of material consequence. My time was a good deal of it necessarily wasted from the fact that I have little or nothing at hand to do when a moment presents itself at my Office.

I remained in town until the Afternoon, for the purpose of meeting the Directors of the Boylston Market Association. It is now a long time since I have been present. Upon this occasion we were to look over the Accounts for the Work lately executed. And we found that my estimates so far from being exaggerated did not come up to one third of the cost incurred. The Dividends must therefore be cut off for a year. This is unpleasant to me so far as the Stock of T. B. Adams is concerned who invested here in consequence of our advice and who depends in some degree upon the Money. I cannot help thinking we have been a little extravagant. After going through the accounts, which took until near sunset, I returned to Quincy by a bright but cold moon.

Quiet evening at home. Nothing of particular consequence. Conversation and reading a little of Dr. Granville, after which Lingard and the Idler.

Foggy morning but a very beautiful day. I remained at home all day and consumed a quantity of it in fishing in company with my Mother. We had very moderate success. Just enough to be tempted to try for more. On my return, passed an hour in comparing Text of the MS.

After dinner, my father wished me to accompany him to Braintree for the sake of taking possession of the Estate there belonging to the Judge.1 I accordingly went with him in the Carriage and the business being accomplished returned home alone. The rest of the day was short and passed in reading Lingard.

Quiet evening at home. Mr. Beale and Mr. Price Greenleaf called 376in and passed an hour. I finished the reign of John in Lingard and Idlers as usual.