A fine cool Northwest wind this morning which gave us a clear sky and a very different temperature from any thing we have had for some days. I went to town, accompanied by my Wife, but my time was taken up in commissions about selecting carpets and so forth, that I did little. Accounts and a call upon Mr. Brooks. But I visited so many shops to see carpets that I got belated, and consequently determined to dine in town with Mr. Frothingham.

My wife who was to remain and return in the carriage, and whom I expected to find at dinner, went over to her sister Mrs. Everett’s. Nevertheless I had a very pleasant time and then returned home. The day 291being fine I came by way of Milton. The prettiest road imaginable I think. Had leisure to go up to my house which I have not visited for two days. The interest in it has ceased for the present, with the delay of the work. I am now more engaged in the grounds.

The carriage with the ladies returned in the evening before nine. I attempted to read the Preface to a new French novel given to me by Frothingham to read, but was too drowsy.

Fine day with a cool, Northwesterly breeze. I remained at home and after my usual tour round my ground and the improvements making under my direction nearer this I sat down and finished the fifth book of the Iliad.1 This reading has given me an idea of the work which I never got from Pope nor from my college reading of the original.

How little of my college acquisition has been useful to me. Was this my fault entirely? It was, if the remark of President Quincy to me is just that it is with students as with horses led to the water. They are brought to it, but all the world cannot make them drink if they are not so minded. But a little more than bringing is possible in my opinion. Some thirst may be created by such as strive to invent the means.

Read also some of Lessing’s Laocoon. Afternoon, amused myself with Corisande de Mauléon, the French novel mentioned yesterday. It is dull at the outset and I could hardly make any entrance for some time, but as the story proceeds it becomes more interesting. Tried to write but could not succeed. Nothing from Mr. Hallett since my last. Is he trying to trifle with me or is he not?2 Evening at home. E. C. Adams and Miss Miller here for a short time.

Morning very clear and bright with a cool wind to reduce the heat. I finished the first volume of Corisande de Mauléon which is a tolerable sign that it increased in interest. And yet I can hardly tell how it produced it’s effect.

Attended divine service and heard Mr. Whitney from 1. Corinthians 1. 23.24. “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling 292block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” I have become accustomed to hearing so much better preaching of late that I can not listen to Mr. Whitney. Afternoon, Mr. Lunt from James 4. 14. “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.” A discourse upon the value and utility of faith enlivened by an allegory which reminded one of that curious and interesting book of John Bunyan.

Mr. Degrand was here and dined. Much conversation respecting a letter written to Mr. Foster by my father in which he puts forgers and makers of Bank promissory Notes on a level.1 As was natural this has been resented. I think the truth has been sacrificed to a strong rhetorical effect. The parallel is an extravagance equal to the lawgiving principle of Draco.

Read a sermon of Sterne’s on the Inauguration of the King of England. Deuteronomy 6. 20.21. “And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded you? Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh’s bondsmen in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.” A review of the events in English history which brought about the frame of Government the Nation was enjoying at the accession of the new sovereign. Evening at home. Nothing further material.