The day was beautiful and I went out very early in order to have an opportunity to see Mr. Fletcher upon this disagreeable business of Storer’s. I talked with him for a very considerable time and though we came to no conclusion about it, yet I sincerely hope he will exert himself to settle it. I foresee however that it will be a source of uneasiness as to money. I shall have it as a tax upon me I fear. The Directors of the Insurance Company came to see about the House and in consequence charged me a small addition of premium. I went to see them and paid, then to the Houses in Common Street, then to Town Meeting to see the new Law for the election of Mayor, knocked in the head,1 then to see Mr. Brooks and finally to my own Office where Mr. Brackett called and positively took the Corner House in Tremont or Common Street, so that now all the Houses of size are off my hands 191for one year at least. I called in to see Mr. Wales and talked with him, coming down finally to the proposition to accept the costs.2 The rest of the morning was passed in drawing up the Leases, so that on the whole I can scarcely be said to have had one moment of time to myself.

Abby had engaged me to go and dine at Mrs. Frothingham’s today which I did and found there Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Brooks. Our time was much as usual, tolerably agreeable, thence to the Athenaeum where I did not stay long. At home however I did but little and found my mind so distracted as to profit very little even from that. My situation is disagreeable enough, involved in law suits, with demands hanging upon me of my father’s and funds coming in with excessive slowness, I feel troubled beyond measure. Nothing now goes right. I find pitfalls at every step. Evening at Mr. Frothingham’s but dull.

Morning at the Office. The day was fine, and I walked out without my coat. The first thing I did was to go and see Miss Welsh and make a final settlement of our affairs—George’s last just debt.1 His expenditure for the last fifteen months of his life must have been enormous, as he had spent his own allowance of a thousand five hundred dollars, eleven hundred dollars of my father’s, and was in debt five hundred more. I am very unwilling to think it, but cannot blind my eyes to the facts, and the deduction from them, that he did not cease to live too soon. The moment was the crisis for his reputation and there is now nothing known of a positive nature against him. Poor fellow. His own evil passions dealt hardly with his better nature. The weeds grew very rank and choked the useful productions which grew too luxuriantly to allow depth of root.

From seeing Miss Welsh, I crossed over to the Houses in Tremont Street and was much pleased with their neat appearance inside. Thence to the Office—Where I was interrupted by the appearance of the creditor of Miss Longhurst who trusteed the Misses Haskins—Mr. Wales. He is a stubborn, dogmatical young puppy, but he had the advantage so I was obliged to play prudently to save remnants, so I was glad to compound the matter for four dollars—better than nothing. I then went back to see the ladies and got my order accepted to put 192it out of doubt.2 Dr. Storer called to see me, being somewhat frightened and to consult about the terms of a reconciliation. He has got himself into a scrape and me too, and I suppose he thinks I should help him out, so I foresee a tax of Money for the folly of a rash young man. He left me in much agitation. I do not yet see clearly through the business. Thus, this morning was as much broken up as all the rest, and gave me no time for any mental business. I am resolved not to think so much of my father’s affairs and wait patiently the result of all.

After dinner I read Demosthenes as usual and accomplished a considerable portion, but the interest is gone. I read La Harpe’s examination over. It would not do. The spirit has for the present departed from me. In the evening went to the Meeting of the Debating Society and took my part in the discussion of the subject of the expediency of Theatricals, which was warmly contested.