Rode to Boston this morning with Mr. Brooks in my gig. Morning 265at the Office reading Saunders which I find to be but a dull book. The law has become rather tedious to me. Met Abby at the Jeweller’s where she went to obtain a present for Miss Charlotte Gray whose engagement to Mr. Ignatius Sargent is just announced. Executive Record in the afternoon and finished the review of Cicero for Archias. Went to see Abby by request and found myself in a variety of engagements for tomorrow and next day. Rode out of town early in order to move my room upstairs to make way for the accommodation of my father who is now expected every day. Thomas B. and Elizabeth C. Adams had returned from Portland and I passed the evening in conversation.

Arose very early and after dressing and taking a hurried breakfast I went into Boston. Found Abby ready to go to the Steamboat and was informed that by the absence of Mrs. Everett, she would be compelled to assume all the qualities of entertainer. The party consisted of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Johnston of Louisiana, Mr. Everett and ourselves. We met many other of our acquaintance on board. Mr. R. Peters1 and his daughters, Mrs. Gorham, Miss Carter and many others. The day was very warm and fatiguing. The quantity of fashionable company, the noise of children and the glare of light produced an excitement which had an effect very unpleasant upon the feelings. One day at Nahant is always dull, especially when you have to entertain a pretty requiring woman. Our dinner was hurried and ill served. Mr. Webster, who had come down with a Mrs. Perkins of New York,2 seemed to think it exceedingly dull and I agreed with him. After killing the time as well as we could, she having expressed a desire to go by land, we returned to Boston in a Carriage, I riding outside a portion of the way. On my arrival at B. I immediately started for Quincy, which I reached exceedingly fatigued.

Rode to Boston though late as I was unable immediately to recover from my fatigue of yesterday and as I passed a restless night. The weather again was exceedingly warm. Called upon Abby and with her and Ellen Shepherd went to see Mrs. Johnston. After a visit there, the remainder of the time was passed without much attention to any thing, 266but I had no opportunity for writing to Mother. At dinner time I rode out to Winter Hill and found there assembled, Mr. and Mrs. Hale, Mr. and Miss Shepherd, Mr. Webster, Mr. G. Brooks, Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, Abby and myself. The dinner was pleasant but warm. Rode to Medford with Abby being much fatigued.