I went out rather earlier than usual. My time taken up at the Office by my Diary which I have now pretty well brought up and by business. Mr. Brown this day made a sale by which I effected the deposit of two thirds of Kirk’s money in the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Office. But I was detained until the last moment and lost my walk. Received a short business letter from my father1 returning to me the vouchers which I had sent for. We hear nothing from Mr. Brooks. I did not have time to read Ovid today.

Afternoon, opened the second Chest of Papers which I sent from Quincy. And began upon the Official Papers from the Foreign Office under the Congress of the Confederation. But I am becoming more and more fearful of the Chaos I make. I worked languidly this Afternoon, and determined not to lose my walk went at dusk. But my spirits are not great.

My Wife was gone to Medford with her sisters to see their Aunt and I took tea alone, and They staid so late that I became a little alarmed. Read Mrs. Jamieson’s Sketches of Art &ca., a new book of her’s.2 She is a lively, sensible woman, but the applause of the world is too much for her head. Women are as quick if not more quick than men, but they have not the balancing power of judgment to so great a degree. She is a little cynical about marriage &ca. which is said to arise from an unhappy connection of her own. Afterwards, Emilia Galotti.

My morning was passed as usual. At the Office busy in my Diary which I at last brought up to its proper position, and in Accounts. I have sold enough to clear off the draught based upon the New England Co’s shares and a little more, and I propose to go on with the sales as the Market will bear them. I finished the business with the Life Office and on the whole felt considerably easier than heretofore. Although my mind was anxious from my eldest child’s appearing unwell. On returning home I advised sending for a physician but after dinner, she seemed much better. I took my walk and read Ovid as usual. Afternoon, the Official Correspondence of Mr. Jay and the period of my grandfather’s residence in England. Edward Brooks came in to see Abby and we conversed a little while. In the evening I began 35a new book of Miss Austen’s.1 Finished Emilia Galotti, which is a piece of much power. The plot is rather bald, but well put together and the catastrophe affecting, excepting that virtue suffers and vice goes unpunished.