This morning upon getting up I found myself somewhat indisposed, and as there seemed to be no cause to which I could clearly trace it, I immediately concluded to take medicine. My father went into town to dine with Dr. Parkman. I remained quietly at home in some degree uncomfortable though not much so. My morning was consumed in pasting labels and in reading over with some attention Stone’s book upon the Masons. As far as I went I took an abstract of the facts in the case of Morgan’s murder as well to fix them more clearly as for future reference.

My afternoon was not passed so usefully. I continued pasting labels and only dipped a little into a volume or two of Bayle’s Letters.1 He teaches how to doubt, but that is useless unless he goes a step farther. Doubting is an easy business.

My father returned at about seven. I read to the Ladies a little of Granville and afterwards had some conversation with my father upon the subject of the Revolution. I find my own impressions were not incorrect in regard to the ancient history. If a man in reading coolly consults the right and the wrong he cannot very often be mistaken. There is a standard existing in his mind by which every thing can be tried. Yet my father suggested one idea to me this evening which I had not fully weighed.

Cloudy day. I felt but poorly after the severe influence of my Medicine. I remained quietly at home engaged in looking over and abstracting Stone’s book. The more I read upon that subject, the more I am struck with the extraordinary and disgusting nature of the whole transaction. The extent of the combinations, the calmness with which they were formed and the plans executed, and the disregard of means in executing them are truly wonderful. I was also occupied in comparing MS with my father, and copying two or three Letters for him.

After dinner, I read a few more of Bayle’s Letters. They are amusing but pedantic, display a great variety of reading and a good deal of felicity in application, but are too much the efforts of a mere reader. The world has changed much since his time. It is less willing to hear the effusions of scholars which merely compile the sayings of their predecessors. Yet there is a charm to me in that kind of allusion that I 382never can get over. In many respects, I am not fit for the matter of fact world of this Century.

Evening. Read a little of Dr. Granville and afterwards Lingard, but not having rested well for the last two evenings, I felt drowsy and retired much earlier than usual.