Morning mild. Went to the Office as usual. Engaged during much of the time in reading the Institutes of Justinian which I admire exceedingly. They strike me very favourably especially as the compilation of an arbitrary prince. Nothing of particular importance took place during the period. I went down to a sale of Stocks and visited Mr. Brooks. Took a long walk returning with Quincy.

Afternoon short as Mr. Angier dined here and Miss Adams remains some days longer. I finished the Oration for Caecina and began a review of it. The substance is difficult and it turns upon the meaning of words. But the ability it displays is not less than usual. Mr. Angier came in the evening again and sat here. He is on the whole a pretty 4stupid man. I do not find any thing to seize upon in order to draw him out. After he went, I read Greek Grammar and finished the Tatler.

Morning cloudy and chill. It hailed a little and then rained. Nobody went to Meeting but I during the day. Mr. Frothingham preached a Communion Sermon, and one other. Strange how I forget what it was about. The attendance was thin.

I read today Drake’s fifth volume upon the Essayists,1 and almost finished it. This is the most peculiar writer I ever read. His style is clear and easy, yet there is a something, an affectation of the suaviter loquens that is not pleasant. His criticism is not bad and yet it is superficial. His puffing is absurd. It is bookmaking if there ever was such a thing, and yet there is much curious information and amusing biography in it. On the whole I do not know whether to say that I am pleased or displeased. Tried to read Buffon but failed and determined to postpone him to a more connected moment. Evening at home. Greek Grammar finished, and the Spectator.

Morning mild and pleasant. I went to the Office as usual and was busy in reading and finishing the Institutes of Justinian which have on the whole paid me pretty well for my study of them. But one interruption of any consequence, that of my Tenant Mr. Gulliver boring me for further repairs. I was rather provoked and we had a pretty smart dialogue. This repairing consumes nearly all the funds, and in these times when income fails so frequently this is something of an object. Indeed of all kinds of Estate which I know, real Estate is the most provoking. I wish I had nothing at all to do with it.

Went to the Athenaeum but did not succeed in getting any new book. After dinner, Attended the Meeting of the Directors of the Boylston Market Association, for the transaction of business. After disposing of the various subjects I took a long walk to Roxbury1 and could not help reflecting still more in the course of it, upon this subject of property. The discussion of the Dividend of this Company is another evidence of my assertions.

Returned home fatigued, and in the evening finished Mr. Drake’s book. After which I looked over Dr. Valpy’s Greek Grammar2 and read the usual Numbers of the Spectator.