Morning warm and pleasant. I did not feel very well myself as my Nerves had been disarranged by seeing the family yesterday and being obliged to attend to the disposition of the Servants. Received from Mr. Brooks his Check for the Quarter as usual, and deposited the Money at the Bank, with some also to the credit of my father. I then went and completed the transaction with regard to the Stock in the State Bank, and conversed wih Mr. Degrand upon it. The project seems to be to put that Institution upon a new footing, by reducing the Capital, and changing the head of it who has become unpopular.1 Judge Hall came up and paid me a short visit this morning, inquiring about my father’s arrival,2 and the remainder of my time excepting a few minutes to see Mr. Brooks, reading Mitford. My head ached a little. Afternoon not spent to the best advantage as the time was cut up in getting the women off for Quincy, and in a sleepy turn that came over me.

Felt a little puzzled about the most advisable course to be pursued. My Mother is provoked, my Father grieved and my brother’s Wife hurt by my decision. Yet it is undoubtedly a wise one. I see that it is at every step. Yet I feel sorry to cause so much uneasiness. The family is large and expensive, and I have no desire whatever to make it more so. I think my Father does not feel quite so well as he did. The care seems a little too much for him. Poor man, he is destined to have a load upon his shoulders full as heavy as he can carry.3 Read Burke’s Speeches upon America.4 In the evening, Eustace, and afterwards, Logic.

My Cook came in from Quincy with my father’s man Kirke, and I had to obtain several things for the family directly. Called at Mr. Forbes’ and found the Horse come from Weston this morning looking very well, and heard that the other one is growing better. I then went to see Bond the Watchmaker and inquired about the Clock Mr. Brooks has purchased for my Wife,1 and about my brother George’s Watch, which has returned well finished. The first was not quite ready, the other I directed if possible to be sold.

Conant from Weston came to my Office to settle for a year’s rent and for the balance due from the Wood. After a long calculation, not very accurate, owing to the loose manner in which it was made in the first instance by the Tenants, I came to a conclusion to take Forty dollars in full for the balance remaining. This pays for the Winter’s Care of the Horses and their board. Paid Ayer my Carpenter, and read Mitford. Afternoon spent in reading the Memoirs of Dr. Parr, a book from which I expected much amusement and instruction, but was very far from realizing my hope, for in the first part at least is a great deal of twaddle from one Field, the Author, who writes also very tamely.2 Eustace for a very short time.

Morning cloudy and cold. After breakfast we concluded upon going to Medford today as the family at Quincy are probably in a state of 255disorder and not ready to receive us. Our ride was not a very agreeable one, but we reached Medford in time to accompany Mr. Brooks to meeting. It was a matter of gratification to us to find that Mrs. Everett had left the House and given place to Mrs. Frothingham. This is a kind woman and not actuated by the same feelings in the least. I once felt much esteem for the other lady, but greater intimacy has not improved it. Though I do think she has many estimable points, I also consider she has as many quite the reverse. Mrs. Frothingham with half the pretention has twice the substance. It rained so that Mr. Brooks did not think proper to attend Meeting in the afternoon, so we remained at home. I tried to read the Edinburgh Review, but my attention was distracted and on the whole I feel as if I ought to put down the day as wasted.