Morning at the Office. Received a letter from my Mother, a little dull, but still in tolerable spirits. It affected mine a little but not much. Read Law as usual. Mr. Brooks notified me that Abby was in town, and I went to see her immediately. She was very dull and evidently showed signs of sorrow and heaviness. I conversed with her and found very soon that my plan had produced a very bad effect. This put me again in a quandary. I had adopted it as the best result of my reason and understanding. I must now abandon it and subject myself to all it’s accompanying trouble, without any adequate justification to myself other than to keep her from being unhappy. I did give up the plan. I consented to see her once a week but with one condition. She promised solemnly that this engagement should terminate in October. She promised that at all events I should have her hand if I demanded it. This at any rate will give a definite close to my waste of time and is a feeble palliation for my want of resolution. With regard to Mr. Brooks I must take a more decided tone with him or it will never finish. I trust the whole in the hands of a higher providence.

George came in the afternoon and talked, but I read a good deal of the secret Journal of Congress besides.1 Evening, at the Federal Street Theatre. Colman’s Heir at Law. A good piece and tolerably well cast. Finn’s Pangloss bad in general. Some good bits, but the starched formality of the character was displaced for ill placed jest and buffoonery. Duberley and Ezekiel Homespun very good.2 The Epilogue was very well done. The ballet of the Barber of Seville closed the performances. It was very well got up. Dancing is a singularly fascinating amusement. It seems to be one of our original tastes judging from the Indian habits. On the whole, well satisfied.