I amused myself in the morning with a perusal of my father’s article on the Colonial trade written for the last Number of the 159Quarterly Review.1 It is able and controversial, not without some of his usual pungency. In the afternoon went to Meeting and in the evening found myself seized with a violent attack threatening Cholera Morbus in consequence of which I was up with an Emetic.

Found myself much relieved. Suffering now only from the painful effect of the Emetic in straining the throat. Passed the morning at Quincy but rode to Boston in the afternoon in the Chaise with Isaac Hull Adams.1 Saw Richardson at my room who spent an hour with me very pleasantly. Heard the news of the death of Mr. George Canning, prime Minister of England,2 and then returned to Quincy as I came in.

Rode to Boston in the Stage finding no farther need of remaining at Quincy. Morning at the Office after which I rode to Medford and found quite a collection there. Among others Mr. and Mrs. Davis of New York, and Mr. Cotton Brooks,1 a brother of Mr. P. C. Brooks, with his daughter, all on a visit. I was slightly unwell.

I drove Abby to Nahant with me, while Mr. Brooks and Mrs. Davis came on in a Carriage. Found a good deal of Company collected there. Among the rest Mrs. Dexter, the wife of Mr. Sam. Dexter of ancient memory.1 She seems a remarkable woman. Also the Miss Crowninshields and Mr. and Mrs. Silsbee and daughter2 with many others too numerous to mention. The day passed pleasantly. Abby pleased me and displeased me. The fault lies so little with her, I cannot blame her; it is in the school she has been educated in, which is not a standard of refinement. Notwithstanding, I was gratified by her general conduct and in one particular instance also. But the day gave me room for much reflection. We did not reach Medford until quite late.