Morning very cold. Went to the Office and passed my time as usual. Read a little, made up Diary and looked over Accounts. Mr. Sharp called in and I settled with him for his work which amounted to far more than I had expected. But in such cases there is only loss of dignity in remonstrating. The information my father gives me of the loss of the antique portion of the collection makes me somewhat sorry I contracted so great an expense.1

Mr. Walsh came in and we had some talk. I then called upon Mr. Brooks, but could not find him, for the purpose of reading to him a part of my father’s last letter. Home where I read Persius, short and sententious but very cutting. Afternoon, reading Levesque and Gallatin’s Essay on Currency and Banking—A very hard style.

Evening reading Beatrice to my Wife. Afterwards Beaumont and Fletcher. Finished Beggar’s Bush which does not strike me. Parts of the two Noble Kinsmen founded upon Chaucer’s Tale of Palamon and Arcite.

Snowing all day. I went to the Office and passed my time quietly as usual. Continued Rousseau’s Prize Dissertation which is a very ingenious thing and calculated to throw dust into the eyes of the Mass. But his original state of nature is a picture, the light parts much thrown forward and the rest in very deep shade. Diary.

Walk to the Athenaeum then home to read Persius.1 Pleasant author as Gifford explains him but a rough one in his own person. Afternoon, Levesque and Gallatin’s Essay on the Currency. A very valuable Pamphlet for matter if not for manner.

Evening, Beatrice which is a dull book after the middle of the second Volume, and Beaumont and Fletcher, the little French Lawyer. The whole style of female dialogue of their plays seems to be sensuality. They evidently attached no other idea to the sex than as the objects of animal desire. This is unpleasant.

Thus I close another Volume of my Diary. It would seem to be of little use for a man to accummulate day upon day, of monotonous and unprofitable life, but habit has made it to me a second nature and I should feel myself now almost committing a crime to give it up. The events recorded and Opinions expressed are it is true of very little value to any body now or hereafter, but they are still the materials of my life, they form the landmarks by which I can understand myself through all the various vicissitudes from youth to age. As such I prize them, as such I wish to continue them.