Returned to town with Mr. Brooks after writing Mr. Stetson a Note1 to ask him to officiate as the Clergyman. This is not very agreeable to me but I am unwilling to cause any kind of trouble and have therefore consented to be married by a Man for whom I have but little respect. My morning was taken up without my being at the Office much as I was obliged to be in search of the remaining Articles of Furniture for my little Library. I did not succeed however in getting any thing but some Chairs. I then went to see Mr. Cruft about the pictures but could not find him at home. This was a walk for nothing, then to the House where I found that my Carpenter had succeeded in getting the case up, at last, but I regret to think it will not be quite enough. I have however already exceeded my means in this business and must therefore stop.

Miss Harriet Welsh called to see me and to ask after my mother. I could tell her nothing. She goes tomorrow to Wiscasset and leaves this City no doubt in grief and with regret. I am sorry for her. Change is the spirit of the world. To many it comes in agreeable shapes, to others again it wears a more cloudy aspect. So it is now with her and with me, but the future may pay us both. Returning to the Office, I found that if I wished to get to Quincy I must hurry to reach their dinner. I again went down to see Mr. Sharpe for my Furniture,2 again failed and then started for Quincy. My horse pushed on and I arrived there.

Found that my father had received letters last night from my Mother and John at Philadelphia.3 She was better, and about as well as when I first saw her. May she be better, but futurity presents to me no further interest in her such as the past has been. I have been to her a devoted son and in every thing where I could have attempted to gratify her. She takes but little interest in the connexion which I am forming and which is going to take the place of her own former dues. I regret it, and still more that it has been necessary to take away from me a graceful parting.

The afternoon was rather wasted in looking over my wardrobe and preparing it for removal, and in assorting the Newspapers which have been accumulating ever since I came to Quincy. Evening, Conversation with my father. His expedition to Braintree.

Morning to Boston and the Office. Occupied in writing and arranging some affairs for Thursday. Called on Mr. Cruft for those pictures but found him again not at home. I delivered my letter1 to his wife and took the opportunity to pay her a visit long due. This took some time. Mr. Whitney called and paid me a quarter’s rent, which I was very much delighted with, for I have not much money remaining on the Agency. My father came in and delivered me two or three messages and commissions which I performed. But my time passed as usual in that undefined manner which I am so constantly experiencing, being always busy about nothing, or at least what appears to be nothing. My father studiously labours to keep things out of my way too with which to trouble me, and he is exceedingly kind. I took no dinner but some Oysters today and these did not agree with me, which is passing 429strange, for I never knew them to make my head ache before. I went to the House the afternoon and tried to find my Carpenter but he was not there. The Bookcase is coming on slowly and I felt quite discouraged about it’s completion. I succeeded this day in ordering the remainder of my furniture for my room. After these things had all been done I went to Medford and found Abby as usual. Mrs. Brooks still well though not quite so lively as during the week. Evening agreeable.