A very warm morning which ended in a thunder storm shortly after dinner of unusual violence. Morning passed in reading at home till noon, and then a ride to Mount Wollaston for a bath with my boys. Afternoon and evening at home.

Locke on Education in the 8th volume of his works,1 from page 1 to 106. I wonder that I never read this very sensible Treatise before, which points out to me a few errors in my own action upon my children and confirms my belief in some points to which I had already been brought without knowing his work. After all education is a great problem not often solved correctly by any general rule.

Of Lessing today in consequence of my bath only from 222 to 235. And Lucretius, 785–920. As we remained at home in the evening in consequence of the continued rain, I also accomplished some of Bayle’s Letters.

Morning clear but with a cold high wind, a very great change since yesterday. Read an hour before service and attended as usual. Afternoon spent in reading and evening at the Mansion as customary.

Finished Dr. Paley’s Horae Paulinae this morning. Much of the characteristic clearness in the style of the author and the same ingenuity that marks his other work on the Evidences of Christianity. But it is not equal to it either in depth or force. The coincidences are curious, often striking but not in themselves conclusive. The book is notwithstanding quite a valuable one.

Mr. Newell of Cambridge preached from Psalms 139. 7. “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” Upon the omnipresence of God, but rather original by pushing old ideas into extravagance than by any variation of them. Afternoon, Matthew 10. 5.7.8. “These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them, saying, “As ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received; freely give.”

Upon my return home, I read a discourse in the English Preacher by Dr. Waterland. 2. Timothy 3. 2. “Men shall be loved of their own selves.” Upon Self love, defining how far it may be understood as prompting to virtue, and where it leads to vice. His foundation is upon the maxim Honesty is the best policy. A good practical foundation of morals or religion but not that which shines best in theory.

I read in leisure moments occasionally the letters of Bayle and today began Grimm. Met Mr. Degrand at my father’s and Mrs. Smith who arrived yesterday.