1780 February 15 (Tuesday). Walked to Mr. Nurse’s on various small Affairs. The air is exceeding thick. P.M. it rains, the snow wastes. I finish Lord Chesterfield’s first volume. Many admirable Excellencys in these Letters, and they evidence him a Man of great Understanding, extensive Reading and accurate Taste, and yet too extremely indulgent to his Son’s Pleasures — throws him into dangers that it must be a Miracle if he escapes. And what affectionate wise, pious Parent could find in his Heart to take such pains to breed him to be a Man of this World, to the so shameful neglect and Inattention to another! notwithstanding all the Care of his Religion devolved upon his Preceptor; who he ought at least to have seconded. At eve a Storm of Wind and Rain which beat vehemently, yet unexpectedly Elias came home from Cambridge, brought Rum for Breck and a valuable, though old fashioned chamber Table, with large slate in the Middle, for himselfe. He got through the Storm with great Difficulty.