By sedulous labour I succeeded in gettng my table pretty well cleared of the remaining papers by two o’clock. After this went down into the city to make some examination of the shops for christmas presents. I intended to have made some visits but only made out to return that of Mr Scovel, at Morley’s. Quiet evening. Began reading for the amusement of the ladies, Mr Thackeray’s novel of Vanity Fair.