A clear and warm day, and the roads very dusty from the past dry weather. I went to town and to the Office where I was occupied in various small ways. Mr. Curtis called in and sat a little while. I gave him the papers respecting Mr. Boylston’s affairs and talked them over.1 Mr. Walsh also came in and talked but had nothing new. Mr. Proctor 80came in to see me about an application made to me about the House occupied by his Mother.2 Having settled this matter and having failed in seeing Mr. Ayer on whose estimates I had depended, I returned to Quincy.

Afternoon very quietly engaged in reading Livy, and Davila, with a short time to the MS. But time passes and as usual I make a complaint of the little that I bring about. This is so often repeated that it has lost some of its force. Yet I ought to keep it in mind.

Evening at home. I was some time engaged in writing a political article in the evening and succeeded in finishing one although it did not satisfy me. My interest in politics is much slackened. My father’s position has altered and as usual with it his feelings. My own pursuit of the subject has been mainly with a view to aid him, and now that he does not need it, I go on only because I have got into the track. There are many points that I think might be touched with some force but I hardly feel the zeal necessary to produce it. Being somewhat fatigued, retired early.