The morning was cloudy and soon after breakfast it began to rain in torrents. The first approaches of Spring. We were prevented from going to Medford so early as we intended but by eleven o’clock it cleared up so that we could go out to dine. Found the family as usual, but rather more alone. I felt a little inconvenience from head ach which increased as the day advanced, and by evening became quite serious. Attended divine service in the afternoon and heard Mr. Stetson preach, though without attending to him much. Somehow or other I felt drowsy and dull.

The remainder of the day was passed in reading superficially the Memoirs of the Court of Napoleon by Bausset, a book owned by Mr. A. H. Everett.1 I was somewhat surprised by his ideas as they were new to me, though I did not feel thoroughly convinced by them. He 187intimates that the escape from Elba was connived at by the Allied Powers, in order to give them the excuse for removing Napoleon to St. Helena and to divide France, but this last plan was defeated by the unanimity of the people. I am inclined to the opinion that the risk was too great for had they been defeated at Waterloo, a thing not impossible, the result might have put much at stake to them.

A short time was passed in conversation with Mr. Brooks. I wonder at and admire his remarkable shrewdness of character. It has brought him to his present prosperity and seems to be an infallible guide to success in worldly affairs. Retired feeling quite unwell.

The morning was cold and clear. We returned to town, though rather late. I went directly to the Office where I received a notice that the President of the Mutual Office had declined responsibility for the building while the repairs were going on. I accordingly went down to see him, and conversed with him upon the subject. The result is that I must hurry the changes as much as possible, for while they are in this condition, the responsibility upon me will be prodigious. I had several applications for the Houses on Tremont Street and went down to see what opinion to form of them. After some thinking and ordering the Papers at Deacon Foster’s with whom I had a good deal of conversation, I decided upon my pieces. Upon returning to my House, I found Mr. Spear the former applicant had decided to take it, and gave me his references, so that I think I shall get this out of my hands.1 On the whole I am exceedingly encouraged, about this property. My workmen are all executing with great rapidity and I hope by the first of April, the whole of this property will be working on finely. I was thus taken up all the morning. In the afternoon, I went down to inquire Mr. Spear’s references and thence to the Office to give orders, feeling so anxious about the Property I did not like to leave it. On the whole, I feel better satisfied with it than at any time. It seems to be renovating briskly. The Evening was spent reading Byron to Abby.