To read good books; to study theology.
To treasure in my mind passages for recollection.
To rise early; not later than six, if I can; I hope sooner, but as soon as I can.
To keep a journal, both of employment and of expenses. To keep accounts.
To take care of my health by such means as I have designed.
To set down at night some plan for the morrow.
To-morrow I purpose to regulate my room.
At Easter, 1765, he confesses sadly that he often lies abed until two in the afternoon; which, after all, was not so deplorable, for he usually went to bed very late. Boswell has spoken of "the unseasonable hour at which he had habituated himself to expect the oblivion of repose." On New Year's Day, 1767, he prays: "Enable me, O Lord, to use all enjoyments with due temperance, preserve me from unseasonable and immoderate sleep." Two years later than this he writes:
"I am not yet in a state to form many resolutions; I purpose and hope to rise early in the morning at eight, and by degrees at six; eight being the latest hour to which bedtime can be properly extended; and six the earliest that the present system of life requires."