Morning at the Office. Purchased a gold pencil case intended as a present to Abby on her birth day which comes on Friday. Afternoon reading Dibdin. Evening at Mrs. Frothingham’s where the individuals 232of the Brooks family were congregated. Edward and his wife, Abby and Mrs. F. with her husband and myself. They meet in this way every week. And in their quiet circle the thundering of the political world does not excite the slightest attention. Is it not better to be so? My disgust to politics seems to be growing. Returned with Abby to Chardon Brooks and from thence home.

Morning at the Office. No letters. Wrote one to George1 in rather bad humour for keeping me in the dark about this affair at Washington. Then went to Chesnut Street to see Abby, calling on the road upon Mrs. Hall2 to apologise for not having noticed her Note of invitation for some evenings since, which I delighted in escaping at the time as I knew what she wished me for. I was this morning loaded with questions about this affair which I avoided answering as much as possible. Abby left town and her friends Julia Gorham and Anne Carter sent me off before she went. I called upon Harriet Welsh and left my Card. The occasion of it was similar to that of Mrs. Hall. And I was glad to escape the same Catechism. Afternoon, Dibdin and in the evening at home reading a new Novel, as I am still unequal to hard labour.

Morning at the Office. No news. Occupied in looking up the law upon a case which I am to argue on Monday evening at the Moot Court. I could not send my pencil case to Abby as Mr. Brooks did not come to Boston. This was quite a disappointment. Nothing material occurred. Afternoon occupied in reading Dibdin and a walk with Mr. Derby. I went to Dr. Welsh’s in the evening in obedience to a request from Harriet that I should.

Wrote a letter to my Mother this morning,1 in a deep fit of the blues. My temper is variable in the extreme. Received one from her after breakfast which is rather better than usual. John’s affair is still going on. The day was rainy and disagreeable. I went out of town with Mr. Brooks to Medford where I have not before been for some time. Found 233Abby well but the children all sick, and Mrs. Everett consequently in low spirits. Passed the evening in conversation with Abby.