The day was clear and calm. According to my promise I started early and rode to Quincy. Arrived there in good season notwithstanding the badness of the roads which the late rains have caused. The Country scarcely bears any appearance of the advance of spring. I happened to be favored in my weather and saw it far more cheerful than it generally looks. But notwithstanding great beauty in natural undulations there is want of richness in all the natural scenery about us.

I found Mr. Spear at the House, whom taking with me, I reached the Railway House and we proceeded with Mr. Winkley to the spot. We passed up the Railway which has been newly laid in a very durable manner and observed some beautiful specimens which are in process of sculpture for the new Hotel of Mr. Astor in New York. The perfection to which this process is now carried here is wonderful.1 We saw two columns which are almost ready for the front of the same building and the blocks for those at our Court House.

We came to the spot in question between Mr. Winkley and ourselves and examined it fully, after which we went up to see the spot applied for by Mr. Dudley and Knox. By accident we collected all the applicants on the premises and thus procured all their views. The quarries are manifestly exceedingly valuable. The Stone is in great abundance and promises richly but will require some outlay to open, and communicate with the road. I found my visit by no means useless although we decided upon nothing. I returned to town before dinner, having agreed to be prepared with an answer by Tuesday May 5. After dinner, I was occupied in writing another letter modifying very 127considerably my views as expressed last Saturday,2 which I put in the Post Office myself. Evening at home. Mrs. Everett was better today. Thiers a little while.