1756 January 9 (Friday). Had an exceedingly pained Night, by reason of Cold got in my Leg. My Daughter Lucy has received from Mrs. Anne Fleet the Life of Miss Clarissa Harlowe vol. 1 for (under my Direction) She wrote a Letter to her requesting the Favour to read it, which Miss Fleet immediately complyed with.
I think those sorts of Books are indeed to be read Sparingly; and others which Relate to God and the soul and many others still there are to be preferred far before them but yet Such as are bred in the Country, and cant be afforded to live at Boarding schools, may by these Means come to some Taste of brilliant sense, when they cant be polished by Conversation. But this indulgence had need be kept under a Strict Guard, and Caution. Mr. Grow at work and p.m. Messrs. Zebulun Rice, and Alph. Newton, closing.