Arose just in time to get into the stage for Boston. I had expected to have gone in a different way but I could not. We got to Boston and as I passed a circulating Library, I went in and got the second volume of Percy Mallory which I commenced reading as soon as I got to my brother’s room. I was rather impolite to him as I did not notice him in his own room. I staid here until twelve o’clock when I went to Cambridge in the Stage. Arrived, I immediately went to my room where they were making arrangements of some sort or other which very much disordered it. I merely staid long enough to obtain the things for which I came and then went to the Hotel where I took dinner, rather a meagre one considering that I had no breakfast but I managed to make it passable and returned to town. I continued Percy Mallory and finished it in the course of the afternoon. I cannot say that I think it well written or well managed, but I think it is extremely interesting. The plot is one of the most intricate, I ever saw, as it runs upon the exchange of three or four children and the consequent confusion. He tries at times to make too much of his scenes and lengthens them out beyond the possibility of endurance. His conversation is frequently flat, as he introduces much in his dialogue which may be very common in conversation but if it is, very certainly it will not bear repeating. It closes well as could be wished and I will not quarrel with the author although I am inclined to believe there is not much probability in the story. He insists that the most improbable part of it is true, in which case, I must be satisfied.

We returned to Quincy in the stage and arrived there safe. The family went this Evening to Mrs. Beale’s to a select party. As I have no taste for things of this sort, I did not attend, but staid at home and spent the Evening with Grandfather. He was in good spirits and talked with more life than usual. He made a Greek quotation which shows his memory not to be impaired. In fact with him, mind is the only thing which is not touched, but the senses by which that mind is conveyed all fail him. The party came home early and we had supper as usual, when we commenced the same course of conversation and did not finish till it was time to recollect retirement. XI:15.