Fine day. Morning partly in study and partly out. Afternoon short. Evening at the Mansion.

Finished Locke’s Essay on the Human Understanding, a work from the study of which I think I have gained something. It has opened my mind to the whole field of mental philosophy, and exercised my faculties even where I have been slow to assent. Finished also Lucretius today, a poem full of knotty points but which has also a fine poetical vein running through it. Thus my Summer’s occupations are over, 127they do not include much, but what has been done has been better done than in any preceding Summer.

Besides completing the revision of the Copy of Journal of J. A. I have read Locke on Education and on the Understanding, Lessing’s Laocoon, Pliny and Lucretius besides some fruitless investigations for a project of an article since abandoned. To be sure the question occasionally arises cui bono? but I strive to think that this is impertinent, as my happiness is much advanced without considering what I cannot help. I attempt continually and even now work upon a series of papers upon the Carolina policy.

The rest of the day was devoted to superintending work upon trees and grounds. Evening at Mrs. Adams where the ladies had gone to tea.

Clouds and heavy rain. To town in the morning and rather late return. Afternoon and evening at home.

My trip to town was made in the expectation that it would clear up instead of which it rained harder and I got wet. My time however was at my own disposal and I kept at work steadily until I had finished the three Accounts due to my father. These with various commissions consumed my time so that it was later than usual when I returned home facing a Southerly rain.

I occupied myself the remainder of my day and evening in writing upon the series of papers which I have commenced now in earnest. John was quite unwell all day.

Clear fine day. Passed at home writing and in study. Evening at the Mansion.

I felt somewhat unwell this morning, the result of my exposure yesterday, so I deemed it prudent to remain in the house. My time much devoted to the continuation of my papers upon the Carolina policy the first draft of which I completed. My endeavour will be to make these papers as good as I know how, in order to test the strength of the public prejudice. My course is the most difficult ever undertaken by a young man and can only command success by ascribing to myself a degree of ability I fear I do not possess. At any rate my duty is to try. I began a fair copy directly after finishing it. Writing is to me a far more difficult process than it used to be because I feel my defects more. A single sentence often stops me some time.

Evening, at the Mansion. The family already talk of their probable removal.