I was still up when the new year commenced and had changed my dress and walked to the Exchange in order to meet the band which Blake and I had engaged for a serenade. We were employed about three hours travelling to different places. The music was fine, the evening was mild and I felt a great deal of enthusiasm. My thoughts naturally turned to the close of this year when our family would know decisively what was our future prospect. I felt very calm about it, as my mind is made up to meet the reverse of fortune, if it comes, and to look for advantages from it. My own prospects are still more intimately connected with the period. I trust them all in the hands of a divine providence. I got home at three and in the morning found myself less fatigued than I had expected.

Went to the Office, found a letter from my Father in a more serious tone than usual enclosing three instead of two hundred dollars.1 The present was exactly in time for my expenses have been enormous latterly. I then proceeded to settle my accounts for the quarter after which I bought a Souvenir and went to Mrs. Frothingham’s to present it to Abby. Thus went the morning. On my return to dinner I found a beautiful present from Mr. Everett of a pair of Essence Bottles, which was quite unexpected and agreeable. In the afternoon I went again to Mrs. F.’s where I staid until her father called for her to go to Medford. On my return, conversation with George at his Office. Evening at home writing an answer to my Father after which I passed an hour or more in copying Executive Records.