Lovely day. Exercises as usual. Evening at the Mansion.

I have no variation to record in my usual course of proceeding this morning. After an hour devoted to my daughter I attended Divine Service and heard young Mr. Cranch preach in the morning from 7 6 John 63 “The words that I speak unto you they are spirit, and they are life,” and after dinner from Job 7. 17.18. “What is man that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? And that thou shouldest visit him every morning and try him every moment?” Mr. Cranch does not seem to me to possess the kind 288of qualifications necessary for a preacher of the present day, but he has mildness and good feelings. His morning Sermon upon the force of the Christian doctrine as a living and breathing existence was well conceived but feebly executed.

Read a sermon of the Revd. John Mason upon the duty of an inoffensive conduct. 1. Corinthians 10. 32. “Give none offence.” The reasons for avoiding offence and the occasions when it ought to be hazarded given in a very modest and sensible manner.

Copied a paper for my father and read rather inattentively a chapter or two of Tucker. Evening at my father’s.

Beautiful day. At home. Time passed as usual. Ride. Evening at my father’s and Mrs. Adams’.

I cannot give much variety to my present record. My mornings are usually spent in copying or writing or reading Menzel all three of which I did a little of, but I clearly see that if any thing is to be done by me I must bend my whole force to it.

After dinner read twenty sections of the second book of Tacitus History and went out to take a ride accompanied by my son John. I followed the old track round Milton which is beautiful. The storm has done much damage, and is said to be more severe than has been for many years.

On my return home found Miss Harriet Welsh who had come out of town in company with Mr. and Mrs. De Wint. I went to see the latter in the evening at Mrs. T. B. Adams’, returning home by way of my father’s.

Lovely day. Mrs. Adams with me to town. Afternoon at home. Evening at my father’s.

Our weather since the storm has been the perfection of the season. I went to town this morning accompanied by Mrs. Adams. Time taken up in commissions and a variety of accounts. I shall have a respite I hope from Boston occupation for this month. Mr. Winch from Weston called upon me about his business which is not yet done. I promised to be ready by the 20th and must bear it in mind. After doing up all I had, returned home.

Afternoon, Tacitus b. 2 s. 20–40, and a little work. Evening at my 289Mother’s. Miss Harriet Welsh with us all day, no particular news. My wedding day.