The day was cool. I remained at Quincy and occupied myself in reading according to my usual way. An Ode or two of Horace, a Chap-129ter of Neale who becomes more and more prosaic as we go along. Tudor’s Life was more interesting. He gives sketches of three of the leading men of the day, Hawley, S. Adams and Hancock, which I compared with those drawn by Hutchinson. Considering the difference of the source, I think the likeness is tolerably kept. While Tudor either does not mention at all or softens away the unfavourable portions of character, Hutchinson makes them a little the strongest, but both admit the correctness of each other, the one by confessing the faults, the other by allowing the virtues. This is as much as can be expected from history.

Poor Hutchinson. Dr. Holbrook was only yesterday telling a Story of Dr. Jeffries visit to him three days before his death. He then regretted his house on Milton hill, and his old habits in his native State.1 Such is the fate of Man.

Afternoon reading St. John who was a little dry and uninteresting. I called in the evening at Mrs. T. B. Adams. She has gone to Medford. Saw E.C.A. her daughter with whom my little business was. Saw there Miss Smith, Mr. Beale and Mr. Gourgas. Returned home at nine. My Mother was much better today.