I had designed to spend a very busy day of it in writing, but, such is the vanity of human resolutions, did little or nothing. This was owing to the fact that Deacon Spear was up here to make a clearance of the rubbish and stuff from the grounds, and I was obliged to be present and explain to him all my wishes and intentions. The cellar especially required clearing away and this was no trifling work. I in this manner gain experience not merely of what a house costs to build but also what it costs to get rid of the materials. My experience is dear bought, but it is still within my means and will I hope prove of some use. I can 300see where if I had not been very cautious I might have spent a great deal more money, and I can also see where I could have spent less. My main anxiety now is to finish, and there is yet much to be done. Mr. Dudley called and settled his account which has now been standing some time.

After dinner, I went with my Mother and the ladies in the Carriage to Roxbury to see Mrs. Boylston and take tea there. We had not been there since the death of the old gentleman. There was but little change in the appearance of things which made me feel the difference the more. The kindness we met with from him comes over me like a vision of past joy. It is the only warm hearted association I have in this climate, with my youth, and it is gone. The old lady treated us very civilly and we returned home in good season.1