Day very pleasant. At the house as usual, but delayed a little by the want of some stones which were engaged to be furnished. The remainder of the work now goes on with great rapidity. The inside and outside coatings are going on together. I am in hopes that this week 269will see them finished, after which, the other work will be tolerably rapid. And I shall be relieved from this great anxiety.

Home, where I read with pleasure and ease a considerable portion of Homer’s 5th book. My father went to town for the purpose of joining a fishing party, and my Mother came in and passed an hour or two in conversation.

Afternoon, ride with my wife down to Quincy Point and from thence to Braintree by Weymouth landing, calling for the children at their school upon our return. A very pleasant ride. Wieland’s Abderites. Evening, Mr. Beale and his daughter Anne came in for a short time. Nothing new. My father got home at about eight o’clock much fatigued. Read a little of Humboldt.

The first day of the season, which could be considered as extraordinarily hot. I went to town, accompanied by my Wife who was making another effort to see her brother.

My time was much taken up in a variety of commissions. But I managed to find time to balance my books and settle up all my accounts for the year. This is the third year of my practice of book keeping by double entry. I think it useful, although by no means the thing that it is praised to be. A man may be an excellent Accountant and still be neither an attentive nor an honest merchant. His books may balance through a parcel of fictitious accounts.

I managed to accomplish a good deal today and returned home well satisfied. Afternoon in part at the House, and in part reading Wieland and Humboldt. I like the latter much but am decidedly tired of the Abderites. Evening, at home. Conversation with my father who appeared unwell from his yesterday’s fatigue.