Clear but cool. I remained at home all day. My morning passed without due improvement. I worked in the garden, read a little of Horace’s second book of Epistles and arranged the Office. My disposition of time is not methodical, neither is it in any degree profitable. And the interruptions which are very constantly taking place worry me. I believe that for the purpose of avoiding this I shall endeavor to transfer my place of labour to the room over the way. A habit of unsettled life is the worst thing for the mind of one who wishes to be a Student.

Afternoon, I walked up to Payne’s hill and obtained but little more satisfaction than usual from my walk. The Tenants are always out, or they do not feel ready to pay. The air was not unpleasant however, so that my health if not my purse was benefitted. Evening at home.

I went to Boston today. My first object was to get the Glass purchased the other day safely lodged at the house, which I did. But the anxiety and trouble attending the process was not trifling. I then went to the Office and was engaged in various little occupations of business for some time. Then called at Mr. Brooks’ where I had a pleasant chat for nearly an hour, then attended a wine sale and bought some wine for my father, and then went out of town.

At dinner, we tried my father’s Burgundy. It is as good as ever it was. Mr. Frothingham can only blame his ill fortune.

Afternoon, Read Horace and Mr. de Burtin, whose taste in Pictures is not of the most exalted kind. He deals in technicals rather than in the spirit of the Art. I was indolent as is too often the case nowadays. Evening quietly at home.

Rainy, cold, disagreeable day. I attended Divine Service in the morning but missed in the Afternoon from the drowsiness which has of late overcome me so much. Mr. Whitney preached, and really if I did not make it a point to pay a little attention to the Minister I do not think I should ever gain any thing from him. As it is, today, I must confess myself exceedingly deficient.

Read a Sermon of Massillon’s upon the spirit in which works of 95charity ought to be performed. Galatians 5. 25. “If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” He prescribes three rules by which it will be possible to judge 1. first, that they should be considered as belonging to the duties rather than the merits of men, 2. second, they should be performed as a counterbalance to the sin committed, 3 thirdly, they should have no mixture of human views. A tolerably good practical Sermon.

The remainder of my time was passed either in reading Horace or some of Madame de Sevigné. Evening at home. Mr. Beale and his Son George came in. The former leaves tomorrow on a trip to Niagara Falls and quits his house to take up his abode when he returns home at Mrs. Adams’s.