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.

I went to town this morning although it was not my usual day. The clouds came up rapidly and it was showery all day. I was very much occupied, first made a call at Mrs. Frothingham’s and from thence went to Sayer’s the cabinet makers. I saw my things and gave directions concerning them. Thence to my house where I was a little while and then to the Office, where I had barely time for my accounts.

Home. Afternoon rainy but I was nevertheless out most of the time superintending the setting of some fence posts round the lower part of the yard. To take proper care of a country place requires the constant attention of one person.

I procured today the second volume of Corisande de Mauléon and read some of it. Very French, very Romantic and as I perceive neces-293sarily to end badly, which is more than I bargain for in books I read for amusement.