Morning cloudy but still pleasant. This month has been delightful and has made a material difference in the length of the winter. Attended Meeting this morning and heard Dr. Channing preach a Sermon, but not remarkable for any thing. The close of the year generally presents a fine opportunity to a meditative mood, but he would not seize it. Went to Medford in the afternoon. I have at present rather a 328distaste to it. I enjoy Abby’s society exceedingly when she is alone, and the uniformity of my spirits tends just sufficiently to curb her’s to make them agreeable. But when there are others who run her wild with unmeaning and loud nonsense, my own character is so inappropriate to these scenes as to make me feel a burden and clog. What the French call “de trop.” Gravity looks ill placed and I cannot join in it, so I pay for my pleasure now and then pretty severely. And yet I could not forego the gratification I do receive. My spirits slightly depressed.

The weather extremely pleasant. The Country looking beautiful from the effects of a white frost which was very heavy upon the ground. I rode into town having Abby in company with me. At the Office. Morning passed without doing much. I picked up a case to argue on Saturday for the Moot Court and made a slight examination into its merits. Also a case or two in the Massachusetts Reports. Read Mr. Burke in the afternoon, but could not succeed in fixing my attention to it at all. Spirits so variable as to affect the proper frame of mind for study. In the evening, I went to a small party at Mrs. Frothingham’s. None but the family of the Brooks’ and Grays. Probably given to Mrs. Sargent though she was not there. I got through as well as possible, but it was irksome. I would not at present give vent to my feelings for they are of a singular and unwelcome tone.

Morning at the Office, occupied much as usual. Received a letter from my Mother of a rather serious, remonstrative tone, which did not serve to add to the height of my spirits, already somewhat shaken. But she gives me assurance of her intended return here, which is gratifying.1 Read the law upon maritime loans for my arguments, and some of the Statute Law. Afternoon, Burke until nearly five when I went to see Abby at Mrs. Frothingham’s. The weather which had been exceedingly warm cleared off sharp and windy. Went to P. Chardon Brooks’ in the evening. A supper party to the Bride. Quite surprised as I had committed the heresy of going in boots. Invitation short. I would have preferred that there had been none. For as I did not know any of the Sargents, the evening was stupid. Abby was more restrained that I ever saw her which puzzled me. But her affair with Sargent makes it awkward.2 The supper was handsome and I was delighted to escape.