Did not rise until late this morning and did not pay so much attention to philosophy as usual. Morning at the Office. I propose to obtain 228some knowledge of the law of real actions and am therefore embracing a considerable field. Read some Chapters of Reeves much of which had escaped my memory. Went to Medford with Mr. Brooks. Family much as usual. Passed the day in conversation with Abby, and in reflection. Evening also without any thing remarkable.

Returned to town with Mr. Brooks. Office, morning occupied in reading Reeves. Felt melancholy again creeping upon me and spent a doleful afternoon. The peculiar circumstances of my situation, the painful thoughts which come across me entirely unfit me for solitary study, as this nourishes and increases them. I must consequently, since society is at present out of my power, resort to lighter and more easy reading to interest my mind. So after a walk with E. H. Derby and finishing Cicero de Officiis, I amused myself with the first volume of Cyril Thornton.1

Morning occupied in reading. At the Office, Reeves. Mr. Curtis called in to know whether any thing had been done by my father concerning the Boylston property.1 Nothing that I know of. Afternoon went to an Auction in hopes to get a set of Burke but it went very dear. At the Office reading Edwards’ West Indies. Walk with E. H. Derby round by South Boston Bridge returning by the new bridge. Evening at home reading Cyril Thornton. Spirits still very low.

Did not rise until quite late. Time hangs heavy upon my hands and the elasticity of my mind is temporarily destroyed. At the Office, wrote a letter to my Mother and received two from George at New York.1 He will have reached Washington this afternoon. To day is his birth day and commences his twenty eighth year. Time begins to set heavily on him but he listens not enough to it’s admonitions. Abby is in town at Mrs. P. C. Brooks’ who is ill. I consequently remain in Boston but did not go to see her as I expected she would send to tell me when she could see me. But she did not and I passed the afternoon and evening 229much as usual. Finished Cyril Thornton. My spirits still excessively depressed but more quiet and calm than they have been.