32 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



(I suppose) on account of .the sickness and the rains which 

 have hindered them from coming into town 



Oct. 29. Thus after a long intermission of about seven 

 weeks, I again begin to note down the occurrences of my 

 life. I think that upon the whole I have never spent a 

 vacation more agreeably than the last. I have been blessed 

 with good health and good spirits, and no inconsiderable 

 portion of my time was spent in the company of the ladies, 

 which I think not an unprofitable employment, which is a 

 very happy circumstance, seeing it is so agreeable. I have 

 attended four balls, or, more properly, one ball and three 

 dances. I stayed for more than two weeks at Mr. Eliot's, 

 while my mother was gone on a journey with my brother Sel- 

 leck, and this I reckon among the most pleasant part of the 

 vacation, as he has two very sprightly agreeable daughters. 

 I have done nothing of any consequence this day, as I have 

 been in town only two days, and am hardly settled in my 

 studies. I board at present at Mrs. Hill's, but expect soon 

 to live in commons. I have been this evening to the meet- 

 ing of the Brother's Society, where I read a composition 

 and returned, and am now sitting in my great chair, but 

 hope soon to be in bed, so good-night to you all 



Oct. 31. I studied as usual, and attended recitation. 

 Our recitations are now becoming very interesting, by the 

 useful and entertaining instruction which is communicated 

 in them by the President. He is truly a great man, and it 

 is very rare that so many excellent natural and acquired 

 endowments are to be found in one person. When I hear 

 him speak, it makes me feel like a very insignificant being, 

 and almost prompts me to despair ; but I am reencouraged 

 when I reflect that he was once as ignorant as myself, and 

 that learning is only to be acquired by long and assiduous 

 application. 



Nov. 1. Clear and cold, but a very healthy air. I 

 attended meeting all day in the chapel, and was well enter- 

 tained with two excellent sermons from the President. One 



