Continual North east winds have prevailed for a week past. This evening, I past, with Thompson at Captain Coombs's. We found Mr. Porter and Mr. Kellogg, two young Parsons there. The evening was tolerable; and something more. Fanny Jenkins was as easy, as good natured, as talkative as usual. Jenny Coombs is sensible and clever. Her Sister Polly it is feared, is in a consumption: a disorder by which Captain Coombs has already lost two of his children...1 Poor, miserable beings we are! Dependant for our happiness, not only upon our own conduct, but equally upon the caprices of fortune, and the casual occurrences of a day. What must be the feelings of a Parent, who after rearing a numerous family of promising children, just as they are entering upon the Stage of Life; and when he begins to reap the rewards for his pains in educating them, by being witness to their usefulness in the world; when he fondly hopes to leave them in the enjoyment of prosperous circumstances; to see them drooping, and 407dying under the operation of a long, lingering disease, in which the terrors of death are increased, by its slow and gradual approaches. Yet, this is the situation of many Parents. And if the causes of misery are thus distributed, as well to the virtuous and the good, as to the abandoned and unprincipled, what is the lot we have to expect in the world? I look forward with terror; and by so much the more, as the total exemption from any great evils hitherto, leads me to fear, that the greatest are laid up in store for me.

Pickman went to Salem this morning. In the evening, I took a long walk with Thompson, down towards Newbury Bridge, in hopes of meeting Mr. Andrews; we were however unsuccessful. When we returned, I stop'd and past an hour with Putnam. He told me they had received a letter at Mr. Bradbury's from Andrews informing them, that his health, would necessarily prevent him, from coming to-morrow, but that he will send somebody if he can to supply his place.

Mr. Webber preach'd here, for Mr. Andrews; and I was much pleased with his discourses. They were quite argumentative; and his manner of reasoning was such as shewed him to be an acute metaphysician. He has always had a peculiar attachment to mathematical studies; and has acquired great knowledge in that branch of Science, which has at the same time habituated him to a degree of precision in his reasoning, which few people possess. After meeting this afternoon Putnam called at my room, and urged me to go to Mr. Spring's, where it seems they were not contented with two Services, but were going upon a third. Putnam went I believe, rather from the motive of seeing certain young Ladies there, than from an excess of piety. But as I wished to write a Letter to W. Cranch, and as Mr. Parsons will go for Boston early to-morrow morning, I declined going with Putnam.

After writing my Letter1 I went and took a long walk quite alone the weather being very fine; and as I return'd I stopp'd an hour at Mrs. Hooper's. Thompson came in soon after me.

We walk'd again, and as we were passing before Mr. Frazier's door, the young Ladies were standing there: we stopp'd, and went in. Mr. and Mrs. Frazier return'd home, a few minutes after; with Miss Phillips of Boston; a Lady whom I saw at Hingham last fall; who has play'd the coquette, for eight or ten years past, with a number of gentlemen, but who has now a prospect of being married shortly. We soon came away; Thompson pass'd an hour at my lodgings.