This is the first very fine day we have had for some time. I did not go to town. But my time was taken up not unprofitably. I read several of the Epodes of Horace, one Chapter of Neale’s Account of the Puritans and made some progress in Hutchinson’s History, Volume the third, which I read over carefully—My former perusal having been a tolerably negligent one.1 How many books, we skim over in this way with little better than complete waste of time.

I took a note of the Account of the meeting at Albany in 1754 and Franklin’s project of a union. This is one of the dates. It is a little singular that Government originated the idea, but that neither this, nor the separate Colonies at all favoured the mature project. Here is the same feeling that has been at work with us for so many years and is now.

Afternoon walk to Mount Wollaston and examine the Orchard. It has survived the effect of the winter before last, but it bears the scars of the Struggle. I sat down and looked at the scene. A more beautiful prospect is seldom to be found. Mused most philosophically. Evening, the ladies having gone to tea at Mrs. Adams’ my father and I walked up for an hour. Mr. and Mrs. Angier and Mr. Edward Miller2 were there.

The day was warm and cloudy. I read a little of Horace at the Office and attended Divine Service both morning and afternoon. Mr. Whitney discoursed from 23. Luke 46 and 13 John 23. In the morning his aim seemed to be principally to put in a small plea in favour of Judas Iscariot—The most original as well as effective mode of preaching Christianity that can well be conceived. What will not men think of next. His afternoon was a strong call upon his hearers to partake the Communion which as it was Sacrament day, it is pretty fair to conclude he meant to have delivered in the morning.

I read a short Address rather than a Sermon by Massillon in which 99he holds up to imitation the example of the primitive Christians. It is short and has no artificial divisions being nothing more than a simple exhortation to a single point. Text from Hebrews 10.32. “Call to remembrance the former days.” This closes the volume of Mysteries so called.

Mrs. J. Angier and Miss Elizabeth C. Adams called in and took tea in the Afternoon. As the wind seemed to be setting in to blow with rain, they returned home early. Conversation afterwards. I read a few letters of Madame de Sevigné and the Observer.