The day was showery with gleams of sunshine. I read a Canto of the Fairy Queen and went to the office. Mr. Spear came in from Quincy and paid me some Money. I gave him some directions about the Garden at Quincy but as I do not feel quite at liberty to leave home for a great while together I told him I could hardly see to it myself.

I took a walk towards the north end of the town in order to judge of the changes and improvements which are taking place, then home where after finishing the first Satire of Juvenal I began Gifford’s Translation.1 My attention was attracted to the extraordinary Account of himself given in the Preface. I have never read a more striking story. He was a man of powerful faculties and his energy carried him 140through. Afternoon continued Duclos, and worked through the greater part of my Pamphlet Catalogue.2 This is tedious, but I have nobody to do it for me.

Read some of Mad. du Deffand—How little to inspire respect, or affection in her character—Not even dévote which used to be the last resort of profligate women. She was licentious in early life, and atheistical in age. Evening at home. I passed it with my Wife in conversation. She remains much the same. Continued Wilhelm Meister.

Morning windy and clouds but before Sunset it became quite pleasant. I went to take a little walk on the Common with Louisa which was all my exercise for the day. Read a Canto of the Faerie Queen and worked upon Catalogue.

Attended Divine Service all day and heard Mr. Newell1 preach from Romans. 8. 15. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba, Father.” Upon the character of the Divinity as given by the Christian faith, with large quotations from Pope’s Essay on Man. I John 4. 15 or 16 I am not certain which and shall not therefore transcribe it, but the subject was the character of religion by the effect it is desired to produce in us, i.e., what is required and what means are afforded to do it. Mr. Newell is an amiable man but a tedious and very common place preacher. He like many others that I have known does not show in life as well as he did at College.

Read a Sermon of Dr. Barrow in continuation of the subject of last Sunday and amplifying the second head, the modes of cultivating the love of God. The discourse was a further dilation upon a subject that needs it as little as any one in the Bible. The injunction is enough. Read the first Canto of Crabbe’s Poem, The Village—Vigorous and melancholy.2 Evening quiet at home. To show how quietly I live, we have hardly had a single visitor. Wilhelm.

Morning very pleasant. I went out on the Common with my child and enjoyed her glee in skipping over its walks as much as she did. 141Then home, and to the Office. Diary and Accounts but on the whole rather indolent. A short walk. Home. Found my Wife looking at a Picture which Mr. C. Aug. Davis of New York has sent to her as a present. It is by Durand and of my father, a very good likeness.1 This is a compliment and of the highest kind.

Read Giffords Life of Juvenal together with a part of an Essay on Satire. Afternoon continued Duclos and then finished my work of a first draught of a Pamphlet Catalogue, by which I discovered three or four duplicates which I was about to order bound. Nothing further of material consequence.

Evening at home. As the warm weather draws near, we begin to enjoy the advantage of our situation. I think during the month of June and previous to the excessive heats it is exceedingly pleasant. Wilhelm Meister.