Cloudy and cold morning. Usual occupations. Evening at the Mansion besides meals.

I spent the day very quietly. Tried to continue my Lecture but found myself deficient in clear ideas so I had to go back to the books to study more fully Law’s scheme. This took up most of my morning with a little of Menzel. I dined at my father’s and in the afternoon studied Tacitus, B. 3. s 1–30.

The quiet of the house is very great and strange to say it does not seem to promote my studies. Man is such a creature of habit and the things which he dreads at one time become so necessary to his happiness at another. The noise of children is generally cheerful and excites that variety of sensations which make at once the occupation and the pleasure of life. I did not work so well because I felt more lonely. Evening at my father’s.

Clear and pleasant. To town, home. Mrs. Adams returns. Evening ladies here.

It was quite a pleasant change from yesterday and I went to town for the purpose of preparing the house for the general cleaning which it is to undergo this autumn. To this end I took one of my women, Catherine, in with me who helped the removal of all the furniture. But I got through barely in time for a very little necessary business at the Office and return to dinner. Mrs. Adams also returned in the carriage from her Medford visit.

After dinner, Tacitus b 3. s 30–50. The history of the civil war after the death of Nero. My mother, Mrs. T. B. Adams, Miss Julia DeWint and Miss Smith took tea and spent the evening with us. Retire early.

Pleasant day. Usual exercises. Evening at the Mansion.

I have not the opportunity for so much miscellaneous reading on this day of the week now as formerly. My time is taken up for an hour with my daughter and then I attend divine service.

Mr. Lunt preached in the morning from Matthew 28. 8. “And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy.” I know not why but this discourse did not interest me as much as usual partly I suppose in itself and partly because I had heard it before. Mr. Whitney in the afternoon from John 16. 22.28 “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice and your joy no man taketh from you,” &ca. I could not gather much of the discourse from Mr. Whitney’s failing voice.1 He has now passed service in the pulpit.

Read a discourse being the first one in the collection of Sermons called The English Preacher, the fifth volume, by Tillotson. Joshua 24. 15. “If it seems evil unto you to serve the Lord, chuse you this day 295whom you will serve.” Service of the Lord or a religious life recommended.

I began today Herschel’s Treatise on Astronomy2 which I desire to know something of. But my desire for knowledge is so multifarious it makes me a tiro in all. Evening at my father’s.