Fine day. I went to town accompanied by Mr. Brooks. Office, and to the House from whence I strolled to the Athenaeum Gallery and reading room. I have got into such a habit of idling my time about that I can hardly sit down deliberately to read.

Coming into town I had a conversation with Mr. Brooks upon the subject of my Wife’s fortune. He seemed desirous of knowing my feelings as to his retaining it. He offered to give it outright in some invested shape—An offer which flattered me extremely as I know he would do no such thing if he was not confident both in my honour and judgment. The best way in such cases is not to try them unnecessarily. I am satisfied that an outright grant of any invested property would scarcely give me a clear income of 6 per cent interest and keep the Capital secure in the long run.1 I expressed my disinclination and the more strongly, as to make a difference between me and other daughters’ husbands would scarcely be judicious. I mention this conversation because it gratified me with evidence that my labor for years had not been in vain.

Home to dinner. Afternoon Mandeville. Mr. Theodore Lyman called to see Mr. Brooks and took tea. Dr. Edward Warren2 and Miss Julia Gorham also came out which prevented my reading Ovid. Mr. Lyman is old and failing. He seemed anxious to recur to old scenes but his memory did not equal his will. He is eighty one.3