Weather fair. I went to town this morning and passed my time in the variety of avocations usual with me. These Accounts are very tedious things but it is better to be rid of them punctually or they grow to be most annoying. Home at one, bringing out with me Miss Smith, who is to spend the summer with my Mother.

Afternoon passed in reading Pliny whose ninth book I finished. This finishes the miscellaneous letters. They are thrown together without any order or attempt to settle the dates, which might be partially done. On the whole they give a pretty good view of Pliny’s character. His main spring seems to have been his vanity, but it impelled him into actions not often the result of this cause. He was fond of the praise for 80doing noble things. Yet we must remember we have his own Account only. Evening down to see my Mother. Nothing of interest.

A beautiful day. I remained at home and occupied myself pretty steadily with the exception of a walk with the children to school and down to the house to see my Mother. I commenced this day my attempt at a Review. It is remarkable what difficulty I find in this. My practice in the Newspapers if it had no other effect gave me great facility and this I find I lose by occasional neglect. There is another difficulty in the distraction of thought occasioned by external circumstances. The air, the heat, the vegetation and every thing of nature. Still it is something to say that I commenced. Two hours I devoted to correcting the copy made of MS. Afternoon, Pliny, and engaged as usual a little in working upon my grounds. Evening, with my Wife at the Mansion.

Fine day. I remained at home all the morning with the exception of a walk down to the Mansion. I made some progress in my undertaking although I feel very much the want of more precise information. This must be procured at some rate or other, or I cannot go on. Continued my labour upon the MSS copy which grows more and more interesting and important.

Afternoon, Pliny’s Letters to Trajan and the replies. They give one a very favorable opinion of that Emperor. Short, and direct, they contrast favorably with the more effeminate style of Pliny.

Intelligence was brought that my father had arrived so I went down to see him and converse with him. He seems better than I expected but complains of exhaustion. No wonder. Returned home to tea and then down in the evening. W. Lee there.1 After a conversation until nearly ten, home.

Fine day although the easterly wind made it rather cool, and we had a little rain towards night. I went into town accompanied by my man John who went in to inquire for some persons for my mother’s family. My time much taken up in commissions of various sorts, and in regu-81lating accounts. It was one of the days in which I did much of what I intended and yet left something. Home rather late. Afternoon reading Pliny, but interrupted by a visit from Mrs. Bigelow and Miss Scollay, who staid a short time. I also worked a little while upon the ground. Evening down at the Mansion notwithstanding the rain.