Very cold this morning. Did not go out as I was confident I should not be able to escape dining at Dr. Gorham’s. The family seemed so ill at ease yesterday by my being there I was determined I would not inflict a repetition of the same. Not very worthily occupied at home principally because I have no steady occupation. I went to George’s room at four and conversed with him; he was much better. Drank tea 196there and then walked to Mrs. Frothingham’s. Found Abby and Julia Gorham there with some other company, parishioners of Mr. F. on their Sunday visit. Returned home early but the weather was severely cold. Sidney Brooks has arrived but I have not seen him.

Received a letter from my Father, which should have arrived on Saturday. Morning wasted. Called on Sidney Brooks, his father, with whom I had some conversation upon different subjects, and Abby. Mrs. Everett has been confined but the third daughter creates a disappointment which will not soon be altered. Abby went to Medford with her brother and I remained in town very low spirited. I made an experiment with milk today for breakfast but I was paid for it by one of the most severe head aches which I ever suffered from. This did not prevent my copying as usual in the afternoon. Took a walk to get rid of it but did not succeed. Attended the Moot Court and owing to the absence of the two other Justices, I was unexpectedly called upon to make Notes for a decision next week.1

Christmas day. But it was unattended by the accompaniments which I have usually known with it. My own time was quite busily passed in examining the law case argued last night, as I do not expect to be able to do much in the latter part of the week. John sent me a Note1 with some Documents and letters which I left last Summer in the City of Philadelphia. Among the rest was a letter from Abby which I received just previous to leaving Washington. In the afternoon engaged in copying from Judge Howe’s Lecture as usual. And then a walk. My spirits were very indifferent all day. Evening at my room reading the Communications of the different Presidents to Congress2 and copying Executive Record. Some caricatures were published in relation to Russel Jarvis who has lately made himself conspicuous here.3