The morning again looked threatening and again cleared away giving us a bright day. After breakfast we were visited by numbers of people—Mr. William Rotch among others. An old Quaker gentleman of 76 but fine looking and very solid. He is the father of Mrs. Arnold and all the present family. His grandfather moved from Nantucket in 1769 and founded the fortunes of the town. I like this. There is something respectable in it.

The Stage called for us at nine and soon put New Bedford behind us. Circumstances conspired to make my stay there the least agreeable portion of my excursion, but I cannot help thinking that a little more ostentation in the Citizens than we have met elsewhere contributed also. Be this as it may, our Route today lay through the flourishing places of Fairhaven, Rochester, Middleborough, Bridgewater where we had a very good dinner, West Bridgewater, Stoughton and Randolph to Milton bridge where we stopped. A most flourishing series of villages built up by industry. The State of Massachusetts is made up of the enterprise of it’s inhabitants which brings it forward faster than the richer natural productions of her neighbours do them.

The Stage did not upon this day pass through Quincy so that I hired a little carryall which took my father and myself to his house in a few minutes. Thus ended a little pleasure party of a week carried through as few such ever can be in this world without a single failure by accident or one disagreeable incident of any sort or kind. It seemed as if 226nature and man had conspired to make the whole thing one of the happiest periods man can experience and the most delightful he can remember.

We found the family well. My Wife was on my arrival out riding horseback but the children were thank Heaven in full apparent health to receive me. Evening passed in conversation.1