I went to the Office this morning and most of my time was passed in a variety of small occupations. I got Mr. Cruft to come in and read over in the original the passages from my fathers Diary while I read aloud, which being done I got him to sign a certificate respecting the copy. I also asked Mr. Walsh to compare the passages and Mr. A. H. Everett although I did not require from them any certificate. This over I folded it up with a short letter to send off,1 and sent it after dinner to the Post.

A number of interruptions, some on business and some not. I this day sold my father’s horses for a song. But any thing is better than keeping them without use at ten dollars a week. My mind is now much easier. Home late and missed Livy. In the Afternoon, Sismondi and Ariosto, a little of Forster who is decidedly dull. I passed the evening quietly with the ladies after which, tried to write another Article but 392I am so tired of doing it that I believe I shall give up. My hold on politics is relaxing.

Morning warm. I went to the Office after giving my boy John a half hour’s walk on the common. He does not appear to me perfectly well over the Measles, and Louisa still suffers much from her cough. My time was taken up in Diary, accounts and copying part of a Conveyance into the records of the Quincy Temple Fund. Thus passed most of my time.

The Accounts from the South are fearful. They mention a rising of the Creek Indians which may possibly bring on a general war.1 I feel very anxious for Thomas in his exposed place.

The weather was exhausting and I suffered all day from a dull headach. Home to read, Livy. Afternoon passed rather languidly as generally happens when I do not feel quite well. Read Sismondi’s account of Calderon which makes me a little curious to read some of his works. Ariosto too. Evening very sultry. I dawdled with the ladies. Miss Louisa Dewint insists upon remaining with us. Walk round the Common and afterwards I finished a piece of Swift’s writing or ascribed to him which I did not admire.

The air changed in the night and gave us a cold Easterly morning. I went to Meeting as usual after spending half an hour upon Loudon’s Encyclopedia. Mr. Putnam of Roxbury preached. Luke 16. 10. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” Mr. Walsh with whom I walked was dissatisfied with the discourse and complained of a gross deficiency in it of moral discrimination. It was so clearly. Mr. Putnam did not take the words in the right sense, not as an argument a priori, but as a levelling of all degrees of error. He reduced the whole to a performance of duty. This is various, one man 393performs his duty in small things while another neglects them. The inference however from the conduct of these would seem to be that the first would be more likely to do his duty in great matters than the last. Mr. Putnam is young and writes without distinguishing. Afternoon, his discourse was better, from Job 7. 16. “I would not live alway.”

In the afternoon, read a discourse of Dr. Barrow intended for Christmas day. Luke 2. 10. “And the angel said unto them. Fear not, for behold I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.” The causes of rejoicing at the nativity of a Saviour—A very good discourse. Afterwards, I read a little of Ariosto. Evening at home, I read Swift.