Returned to town this morning with my father. The weather was exceedingly warm and our ride a hot one. Owing to the difficulty between him and myself which has destroyed all cordiality between us, conversation is rather stiff and often ceases entirely. Upon the most mature reflection that I can give, it seems to me that I have been treated in a manner which is not justifiable under any system of treatment between parent and child. My father is making the matter worse by not in some measure repairing the mischief, for on a subject like this, it is the duty of every man, whether son or father, first to respect himself. I neither can nor will consent to be treated like a child. Enough.

Morning at the Office. Called upon Richardson in the afternoon after having dined with George at Dr. Welsh’s. I passed a couple of 276hours chatting with R. and then adjourned to the Exchange previous to going to the Opera. The weather was very warm but I was resolved not to lose the opportunity of seeing Der Freyschutz as performed by the French Company. The House was filled with the most fashionable society in Boston. The afterpiece called les Rendezvous Bourgeois1 was performed first, and was laughable enough. Then came Robin des Bois with which I was highly gratified. This New Orleans Company have great merit as a Company though no single individual very much excels. You are pleased to hear them because they perform in good taste. Returned to the Exchange at twelve.

After breakfast, went to the Office much earlier than usual. Sat down to read a little of Chitty on Contracts1 but was interrupted by the entrance of Richardson and my cousin T. B. Adams who passed an hour with me. The weather has changed at last and now gives us damp and showery moments. Afternoon passed quietly at the Office looking over some of the practical parts of the law. Thomas B. Adams called at five, and rode out with me to Quincy. Found the family as usual. Mr. Frye returned from Maine. The news from my Mother is not of the pleasantest and I am afraid my letter of the 23rd has not been calculated to improve it.2 Conversation with John and Thomas in the evening.

Morning, rode to town, although the weather looked exceedingly threatening and unpleasant. At the Office, reading as usual, but determined upon going to Medford notwithstanding the rain. I rode out at dinner time and it seemed to me as if all the floods had collected to pour down upon this special occasion. I was well protected from it and so it mattered little. Found the family as usual. In the afternoon, as the weather looked rather more favourably, I went with Abby over to Winter Hill to see Mrs. Everett, and finding her well, we stopped and took tea. Mr. Felton, a young man who graduated after me at Cambridge, came in.1 He is now engaged in keeping a school at Geneseo in New York. It was rather a remarkable day for a visit of this kind but I 277have seldom been at Mr. E.’s, when the family were entirely alone. Mr. E. was very pleasant and we did not return home to Medford until quite late.