The morning was clear but a little cold, and brought with it the close of my stay at Quincy. It has been in some respects agreeable, but in others it has been otherwise. My absence from home and my wife has made me anxious and uneasy, particularly as she left me unwell. I accordingly was glad when the time came for John to take me into town in my father’s Chaise. Abby shortly after my arrival came in and was much pleased to return. I was glad to come home and find myself again fixed comfortably in my usual avocations.

I went to the Office soon after and there attended to my father’s affairs; Drew the Dividend for October upon his Shares in the Neponset and West Boston Bridges.1 This together with the arrangement of my Accounts consumed a considerable portion of the morning and the rest I devoted to Abby at home. As the weather was fine I walked out with her in the afternoon to make one or two purchases for the House after accomplishing which and leaving her at the turning to Mrs. Frothingham’s I walked down again to the Office. It was a lucky walk as I found Mr. D. L. Child there just ready to pay me for the Uniform which he purchased some time since. I confess I was agreeably surprised and received the money with great satisfaction as it enables me to arrange all the smaller accounts of my brother’s Estate directly. He is not famous for punctual payment and this made it the more gratifying that he should relieve me from difficulty so soon. Returned home, and employed myself in writing my Journal which my absence had thrown in the Back ground. The Evening was passed at home and I read aloud to Abby the Life of Richardson taken from Scotts Biography of the Novelists, which seemed to please and interest her considerably.2