Returned to town early with Mr. Brooks. Found no later information from my father which leads me to conclude that he has actually started. The morning was occupied in going about making the few purchases which I consider as necessary for my Mother and in which I much feared I exceeded what I ought. The looseness of the present arrangement is one of the amusing things of the present time. My father seems to have an idea that every thing is to come right by magic. My mind has been much troubled about these things. The weather cold for the Season. Evening, a pleasant walk on the Common. One of my father’s tenants called about his house. I could give him no assistance.

Morning at the Office and in Court. I listened to rather a dull argument this day. Richardson came in and chatted for half an hour. I then returned to the Office to read Starkie. In the afternoon I read Clarendon’s State of Ireland.1 It seems to be in the nature of a defence of the particular conduct of the Duke of Ormond, and is without interest. Received a letter from John,2 intimating that all their arrangements are changed and that my Mother will remain at Washington and that only he and my father will come. This is a most unexpected and I must add bitter disappointment. I could not digest it directly, and the more my mind reflected upon it the worse I felt. Mr. J. H. Foster called upon me to let me know that my poor brother had been found on City Island off New York. He came to advise me to go on which I declined doing. Evening, a solitary walk on the Common. My mind much taken up and not pleasantly.

Morning at the Office. Attended Court for a little while but found nothing of any consequence. I therefore returned to my Office and read a portion of Starkie on the Law of Evidence which book has given me some ideas. In the afternoon read the Life of Mahomet just published by the Society for the diffusion of knowledge in England.1 I was not pleased with it. These pamphlets are all made abominably dry. My mind during the whole day was much agitated by the idea of the family at home. A more pitiable set I do not 389think I know than my father and mother, and John’s machinations I can neither admire nor approve of. Poor George once said to me that his only objection to John was that he was so artful and he said true. But this cannot be helped. Where his own interest does not interfere, he is kind and generous. Evening, a solitary walk. Brilliant night.