Arose early and engaged a short time before breakfast in the Nursery. After which I went to Boston. Received a letter from John on certain business, inclosing a Note from S.L.S. which I laid before T. Welsh.1 Nothing could be done however and I wrote a reply accordingly.2 Afterwards wrote a letter to my Mother, as usual.3 Abby, having sent me notice that she was going to dine at Winter Hill, I remained in Boston and copied Executive Record besides reading a considerable part of Cicero’s Oration, before starting to Medford. Stopped at Winter Hill, took tea and then rode with Abby to M. She was tired and fatigued and retired almost immediately. She had seen poor Smith’s corpse last week and it affected her. I am not partial to such exhibitions.

Morning quite pleasant. Remained at the house and finished the third Volume of Hutchinson after which I went and strolled along the bank of the Canal for about a mile. The luxuriant beauty of the vegetation and the striking sweetness of the spot attracted me on until I became startled by the lowering appearance of the Clouds and hastened home though not quite before the shower commenced did I reach it. Afternoon at Meeting. Heard my classmate Samuel K. Lothrop preach in the pulpit. What I had long expected has happened. I have seen him as a Minister of God and a more frail one, if I know him at all, has seldom attempted to reach the throne of Grace. My reflections and reminiscences upon this subject are not pleasant. Evening in quiet conversation with Abby. My life now is perhaps as happy on the whole at this time as it ever will be. My mind has but one single cloud before it. I trust in God.

Rainy and disagreeable weather. After passing a short time with Abby I returned to Boston. Office. Did little of any utility. Read a little of Jackson’s book. Conversation with George. Political affairs seem to be reviving after our condition of despair only perhaps to sink the deeper. Afternoon at work copying Executive Record, and reading Cicero’s Oration which is one of the boldest specimens of forcible eloquence I have read. I then went to Quincy in a cold north east driz-257zling rain for which my state of dress was by no means prepared. Evening quiet at home.