Went to Boston expecting a cold day but it turned out one of the warmest of the season. Went to Mrs. Frothingham’s to see Abby and spent two hours with her. Received a short letter from my Mother inclosing one to Abby and answered it as usual. She as yet expresses no intention of coming this way. In the afternoon, rode with Abby to 261Medford having intended to drink tea at Winter Hill with Mrs. Everett but found her gone to Medford with Mr. Webster where they were when we arrived. Mr. Brooks had been unwell this week and seemed in quite low spirits. Evening very warm.

I remained at home all day today. A cold which I lately caught has affected my gums and throat again though not in so great a degree as the last time. The day was warm. I passed it as usual reading Michaux and other books upon the cultivation of Forest trees, when I was not in company with Abby. In the evening we took a short walk, the hour and scene were lovely.

Returned to town after an hour with Abby. Found another short letter from my Mother intimating pretty certainly that she would remain at home. Read a portion of the Lecture on Practice by Judge Howe, and copied Executive Record, in the afternoon, with a few sections of Cicero in review. My face and throat felt so unpleasantly that I had some idea of again going to a physician but decided upon postponing it. Returned to Quincy in the evening. Mr. and Mrs. D. Greenleaf were there. Had some conversation with Mrs. Adams upon the subject of Abby Adams’ remaining at Washington—a little sentiment. The Nursery looks well.

Wrote to my father as usual this morning. This makes the fortieth letter to him since last October and will probably be the last for some months. I have missed but once or twice, and have seldom been much at a loss for subject. On the whole this is a satisfactory part of the year although if I were to continue it for another, I think I should attempt some thing more. Rode to Boston and spent the morning at the office reading Judge Howe’s Lecture which was rather dull. Also wrote Executive Record and read a little of Cicero. The day was exceedingly cool. Returned to Quincy, worked a little in the Nursery, and in the evening, Conversation with Mrs. Adams.

Rode to Boston after reading an hour or more. Found letters from my father and my mother but not a syllable in them as to any future 262arrangement. Morning at the Office occupied in reading Cruise and a part of Judge Howe’s Lecture. At one o’clock, rode to Medford, found Abby pretty well and Mr. Brooks gone to Nahant. In the afternoon we rode to Winter Hill and passed the evening. Miss Mary Buckminster was there. She is engaged to be married to my classmate S. K. Lothrop who is now preaching in Washington.1 Mr. Everett conversed a good deal upon political matters. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Brooks were there also for a few minutes. On our return to Medford we found Mr. B. had got home with Judge Lyman of Northampton2 to whom I was introduced. I had seen him before but many years ago and had quite forgotten him.