I left Quincy this morning, for the Season. The period passed here is exactly two Months, and on the whole more pleasantly spent than I had anticipated. The house has been more quiet, my Mother has enjoyed uninterrupted health and we have been extraordinarily free from trouble. My father has appeared to droop however, to feel oppressed by a kind of languor which for him is remarkable, and to take little interest in pursuits which one would have supposed, he might have enjoyed. I have been so unfortunate as to differ from him in several matters, and the consequence has been rather to increase than allay the evils of his condition. Under these circumstances perhaps it 93is as well that I do not remain. I regret exceedingly the dejection which he feels, and I experience the same myself, from other causes however. My reason is this, that I foresee ruin to the pecuniary affairs of the whole family and great consequent misery to his old age.

My time was occupied at my Office as usual. I wrote the first Number of a Criticism upon Otis’s Oration and attended to my Accounts. Dined at an Eating house as my Wife did not come until Evening. Afternoon passed at my study, arranging my Books, and commencing upon my task of reading the Epistles of Cicero. Began the first Book ad Familiares and read several of the Letters to Lentulus. Being in the broken style, leaving much to be supplied, I found it hard. My Wife came home to tea, and my Mother accompanied her returning in the evening. The former was so much depressed that it also affected me. Read Grimm and the Spectator.