I finished reading Bacon's pleas and pleading: but the subject is so knotty that I must at some future period, read this over once or twice more. I began a third time upon Blackstone, a book which a lawyer cannot possibly read too much. In the evening I walk'd into Newbury with Stacey. I have been engaged for some days upon a matter which takes all my leisure time: it is in writing a piece for the 5th. of September. The Society at Cambridge, have ordered me to speak on that day; and I shall obey, if I can possibly attend.

After spending the day as usual, I walk'd with Stacey and Putnam. After going some way into Newbury we return'd, and walk'd upon a sort of a terrass in high Street.1 We there saw a number of young Ladies who seemed to expect to be accosted; and some of whom finally sat down on the grass, perhaps to see if that would not call our attention to them; but we were really inexorable: notwithstanding Miss Bradbury was there: indeed it has been observed that Putnam has of late wholly altered his conduct towards her; and there have been many speculations concerning the cause or the causes of this difference. Some of these young Ladies were so much piqued at our apparent neglect of them that they revenged themselves with proper Spirit by laughing loud at us as we past by them: and what punishment could possibly be more severe than the ridicule of a young Lady?

This afternoon Mr. Cutler called at our office, and perswaded me to ride with him up to Mr. Brown's farm; where we found a number of young Ladies. The afternoon was tolerably insipid: we drank tea there; and afterwards escorted the Ladies. I rode with Miss Jones, and left her at Captain Fletcher's. I afterwards returned there, but she was already gone. There was a very brilliant northern light in the evening.

Mr. Cutler is one of the most complaisant persons with whom I am acquainted. The ladies employ him upon almost every occasion; and yet behave to him in such a manner as does not express 437a sense of obligations received. They even slight and disregard him for performing those services by which he renders himself useful to them. There are problems in the female character, which are not easily solved.