To town, not returning until evening.

This was a day of great heat. I went to town accompanied by my Wife. Passed the morning much as usual, various commissions requiring an unusual portion of exercise from me. Walk up to Acorn Street but found the house shut up.

Mrs. A. had agreed to dine with Mr. and Mrs. Edward Brooks today and I joined her there, where we were met by Mr. Brooks the elder. Pleasant time enough, but after it I undertook to walk to the Athenaeum to see the Gallery, which was rather uncomfortable, the Gallery itself was over warm so after running over the newspaper files in the reading room to find notices of any thing done lately by me, without success, I went back and immediately after tea returned home.

The evening at home was delicious and I could not help thinking how much better it was not to stir from it. The very first summer evening we have had and in itself perfectly exquisite.

Extreme heat. At home. Bath after dinner. Evening at the Mansion.

The morning was one of the warmest we have in the course of a year, but it brought on a very violent thunder shower which qualified the heat. I occupied myself very quietly in sketching some remarks upon a late Pamphlet of Alexander Hamilton’s upon the state of the currency. Mr. Hunt promises to keep me occupied quite as much as I desire.

Texier and Lessing. The storm distracted my attention a little. After dinner, Tacitus, but I took my two boys John and Charles with me to Mount Wollaston where we enjoyed a salt water bath. They appear to have conquered their apprehension of it but have not yet sufficient familiarity to attempt to swim. I did not make out to read more than twelve sections. Evening at the Mansion.

Rain and clouds. Exercises as usual. Evening at the Mansion.

There was very heavy rain early but it soon ceased and continued cloudy all day. I devoted an hour of the morning as usual to my daughter Louisa. My lessons are short and simple. Two Chapters of the Bible to read, and the portion of the common Prayer book to repeat which contains the commandments, and the analysis of duty. This with a hymn makes the exercise.

Dr. Frothingham came up from Boston and preached. We heard him from Ezekiel 47. 12 “And the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.” A discourse upon the Scriptures, considering them as a whole and replaying to the objections most commonly presented against them. These objections were stated strongly and answered satisfactorily. There was beauty in the composition, great unity and keeping in the figurative language drawn from the application of the text and unusual warmth in the delivery. I thought I never had heard the Dr. to more advantage.

Afternoon, Deuteronomy 34. 8. “So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.” A singular selection on the subject of mourning drawn from the character of Moses and the regret of the 268Jews for his death. I dined at my father’s with the Dr. and his son Thomas, who took tea with us and returned to town in the evening. We had a pleasant visit from them.

After a short evening visit at the other house, returned home in time to read a sermon Luke 16. 13. “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.” Bishop Hoadley does nothing but weaken the text in what he says and yet sensible enough.