Morning cold and clear. At the Office where I had many persons to see me. Mr. Whitney the Tenant of the House came to talk about the rent which is due to him. He was very anxious to have me take off the Quarter’s rent upon the House which I charged him, but I declined very positively so as to make him assured that I should not.1 After much conversation he withdrew, making me suspect that he designed making an appeal from my decision. I care very little if he does. My own duty in managing the affairs of the Agency is performed.

Mr. Leighton called upon me at last upon the Affairs of the Housewright Association and promised an early settlement.2 I then went to receive the Dividend upon the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Office Stock.3 Met there Mr. Foster who talked to me upon the subject of the Boylston Market and tried to get me to go into the plan. Indeed I should not feel at all unwilling to follow him, notorious as he is for his clearness of4 Money affairs.5 I hope my Father will return a favourable answer. I then made the Deposit and returned to my Office to 137consider over the matter of a Letter from Mr. Vaughan to my Father. I tried to find Mr. Curtis but not succeeding opened the letter at a hazard. Returned home and in the afternoon had a copy taken, after which I sent on the original with a letter of my own.6

I then passed some time in reading Mitchell’s Aristophanes, finished the Acharnae and was induced by it to open Brumoy’s Account of the same author in which I did not go far before evening, when I went down to see the family at their usual Meeting on this Evening. The Meeting was much as usual, without material interest and only better than others because the individuals were not at open war. I did not relish it much. The Society is not that to which my own taste inclines.

The morning was dark and lowering and soon after turned into rain. I went to the Office as usual and was busy in making my usual progress in my affairs. My calls were numerous, among others Miles Farmer came up and attempted to take me in. I could not easily keep my temper because he most evidently came to gull me. I was more angry perhaps than I should have been, but it satisfied him that I was not to be imposed upon. He left me, I trust for the last time. My Tenant has not been near me since he received his Lease. I am a little afraid of the circumstance, but I went to see how Hollis came on and was pretty well satisfied with the progress made.

Abby had agreed to go to Medford today notwithstanding the weather. So I returned home at one o’clock and after waiting a little while, went out in a Carriage with Mrs. P. C. Brooks and Mrs. Frothingham. Upon our arrival we found that Mrs. Brooks was not so well. 138Indeed I never saw her when she seemed more suffering. It seems to me pretty clearly evident that her term of life is rapidly drawing to a close. But this is too unpleasant a subject to be whispered, and indeed it seems to me it is a severe thing for the consideration of that family. Her influence in cementing them is strong though scarcely felt. When it is gone, I cannot precisely tell what will be the end of it. And it is as well not to attempt to look forward. We dined there and remained while the rest returned to town.

I had much conversation with Mr. Brooks who treated me very kindly. It is somewhat remarkable how different impressions influence me with regard to him. I suppose this depends much upon his feelings to me which vary as much. My coldness he cannot admire and yet at times I cannot help it. It is my bane every where. I retired early as usual.