This day completes twenty one years of my existence. The opening stage of life has passed with me and I must abide the test of futurity by the assistance of the principles which it has given to me. Would they had been better. The future is the same impenetrable mystery which it has always been and as I step my feet off the shore, the deeper I touch, the more am I impressed with the necessity of an unlimited trust in divine assistance. Man is but a creature of necessities, his ends are the will of heaven. My own reflections are not free from care and anxiety but I can only repeat with more fervency the prayer set down in this journal at my last anniversary. Further need not be said.

Went to Boston after receiving as a birth day present a sweet little locket from Abby inclosing her hair. Morning at the Office. Received a letter from my Mother in tolerable spirits. Dined with George and John at the Exchange where they were kind enough to drink my health in a glass of Champagne. John returned with me to Quincy. In the evening my father made me a present of a thousand dollars according to his usual custom to his children on coming of age, and I took the opportunity of having some conversation with him upon my affairs which I will detail tomorrow.