Wrote to John before breakfast.1 Morning at the Office and in Court where Mr. Otis was arguing his own cause. It is now some time since he has appeared in public and curiosity was a good deal raised. His manner is very pleasant and seems to have been modelled for a Court room style.2 After dinner I went to Mrs. Frothingham’s and passed the afternoon with Abby returning to my room only to dress for a party at Mrs. Gray’s given for Miss Charlotte as that the other evening was given for Miss Gorham. This young lady accompanied Abby and I. 186Abby was very well dressed and looked charmingly. And I enjoyed myself more than at any party since last winter. Home before twelve.

Called at Mrs. Frothingham’s to see Abby and passed all the morning there. Found her a little disposed to be dull and had much conversation with her upon many subjects. After dinner at the Office. And in the evening called for her at her friend’s, Miss Anne Carter. She is an invalid in a consumption, and very interesting. But I was rather dull. I dined with George today in consequence of my dinner at home being forgotten as it had been ordered an hour earlier to accommodate the arrangements for the funeral of one of the boarders who died Wednesday night. His name was Weld1 and he died under circumstances which have given me a strong dislike to my Landlady and her Maiden Sisters.

Wrote to my Mother.1 Called at Mrs. F.’s and sat an hour with Abby. Returned home to dress and went out in the Carriage with her and her father to Medford. Mrs. Everett and family are at last settled there. The whole seemed a compound of dullness and melancholy and I bethought myself that they were beginning to realize the advantages of a Winter’s residence here.

The children have made me wish myself in Boston more than once. Indeed to a man of my old habits, it is the last trial. My love for Abby is great indeed to induce me to face this and the Winter’s cold together at Medford. And yet she is the only one of the family free from care and able to resist the appalling effects of the weather upon the spirits of the rest, and like a really noble girl she is determined to immure herself here in the performance of this duty. But I cannot help thinking it a very mad project to remain out here. Attended Meeting in the Afternoon and heard Mr. Upham.1 Not much, I thought. In the evening, a great deal of conversation with Abby.