Arose and after breakfast read over twenty five pages more of Paley which finishes all that I can do farther this vacation. I have read about four of the lessons which we shall have in the Commencement of the term. I then went to see my Mother on whose account I have been exceedingly anxious and dejected. I found her very much better but exceedingly weak and her head still affected. She commenced today the great business of packing up to return. I performed it principally for her as I was desirous to save her the trouble and that she should avoid any unnecessary exertion. I was in her room the greater part of the day that she should not have an opportunity of thinking of her sickness and of becoming dull. I only took about half an hour in the afternoon when she was lieing down to write my Journal. I was extremely lowspirited even today although one great cause was taken off, but another was put on for the state of my Uncle at dinner today disgusted me exceedingly and I was anxious to get away to avoid a seige which I dreaded. My mother did not go down. I spent the whole day in this way not doing any thing of importance but paying my duty to my Mother to whom I have become far more attached than ever. Although I am obliged to differ from her in opinion sometimes, and am forced to make a harsh judgment upon some of her actions or wishes, still there is something inexpressibly delightful in her manners and her affections are most powerful. The ways of kindness are not 333known to many who by no means want the will and I have this exemplified very strongly in the family.

I sat with my Grandfather about an hour in the Evening and he appeared to be in better spirits than usual. My father and George arrived from Salem much earlier than I had expected and had a long tale to tell of their adventures for they appear to have been moving ever since they left here. The former appears to be in very good spirits, and talked more than usual. I had an argument with George which was tolerably warm. I am convinced it is impossible to live with him and like his temper. I sat up with George a little while downstairs before retiring. XII.

Arose and after breakfast commenced my preparations for departure. This house is today to lose many of it’s late inmates, some perhaps never to return to it. I did not feel extremely grieved at going as it is not a place of happiness for me. I am too much attached to my own little personal comforts to be perfectly content where I cannot enjoy them all. I had a little and very little conversation with my Father on the subject of my debts and future situation but I obtained my request and am in future to act somewhat more like an independent man. I am to have no further connection with my Uncle but I am to receive monthly payments from George at the rate of fifty dollars a month. After this very satisfactory communication and a leave taking of my Grandfather, who seemed to be in low spirits enough, I departed with George in a chaise and took the direction to Boston through Cambridge at which last named place, I stopped to enter my name and prepare my room for my reception tomorrow. I then went to town and arrived at Mr. Cruft’s at the precise time that my Father and Mother had got there from Quincy. I dined here with her and the family. I like Mr. Cruft although he has very little of the courtier in his manners. When you know him however to be so entirely sincere, it makes up very considerably.

In the afternoon I did two or three little services for my mother and rode out with her but spent most of my time in her company. Mrs. Pickman was here this Evening, the sister of his wife.1 She is a good sort of a woman without much beauty or much any thing to recommend her that I know of. Mr. Cruft did not come in until pretty late, but the Evenings grow quite long. Soon after tea my Father and George arrived from Mr. John Welles’s2 where they had dined. Mr. 334Pickman came in and then the whole of Fosters who came in and sat until it was time for me to go. I took my leave and walked with George to his room stopping to inform Elizabeth when she should be ready tomorrow and bid her Goodbye. I had some conversation with George on “secrets worth knowing”3 and then went to sleep. X:30.