Morning cloudy and very cold. I rode into town from Medford early and found the want of some clothing considerable. My Summer dress annoyed me almost as much as the winter dress the other day. At the Office, engaged all the morning. Abby Adams sent in a letter to me which she had received from my Mother.1 This letter stated that they should leave Washington on this day, and requested her to make some necessary preparations. I accordingly thought proper to ride to Quincy after dinner and see her about it. I also went to the House to see what portion of furniture might be immediately put in use. The 384sight of the old house and its condition made me sick. I felt disgust at it’s extremely dismal appearance. And my father’s singular character makes it almost hopeless to look for better things. The Nursery looks miserably and every thing bears powerful marks of utter want of attention. After taking tea at my Uncle’s, and on the whole getting through much better than I expected, I returned to town quite late. I can imagine nothing more miserably planned than this design of my father’s, and I really feel thankful that circumstances have rendered me so independent of it.

Morning at the Office. Weather cold and chilly. After writing a portion of my Index, a labour in itself rather useless but which I intend shall supersede the body of my old Journals and Diaries which contain follies, I was then proud of, but which now would make me ashamed. I wish to keep a softened memory of them as I think there is nothing disgraceful in it. For I was in the fever of youth and health, and never committed any action which made me feel as if I was degrading myself. It was the mere impulse of life and high spirits which are gone now and will probably never return. I am sobered down.

I went to my brother George’s room and looked over his papers again to see if I could find a list of things at Quincy, which I did. This occupied the morning. In the afternoon I read Clarendon which again became interesting, in the account of Charles the 2nd’s escape from the Battle of Worcester. No letters from home. Evening, a pleasant walk.

Morning at the Office, occupied much as usual, in writing and reading the law of Evidence. Little or nothing occurred to interrupt my regular avocations. In the afternoon, engaged with Clarendon in exile. The day passed satisfactorily on the whole, and I was again encouraged by having a little case to undertake. The melancholy of last month and the bustle of moving put my law for a time out of my head, and even now Clients seem to me not likely to come. Evening, walk in the rain. No letters, which makes me more distrust the information of the other day.

Morning at the Office. Weather again warm and pleasant. I was 385tempted foolishly to day to go down to an Auction and the consequence was that I purchased more than in the state of my funds I should have done. Thus the greater part of the morning was spent. On my return to my Office I found Mr. Brooks had called for me, and I went to Medford with him. But I did not enjoy myself quite as much as usual, on many accounts. Mrs. Brooks was absent, on a little journey. Henry arrived at home.