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.

Morning damp, and warm. We left Medford after breakfast, to return to town. I did not go to the Office however as it was not a business day.1 The present is the holiday season in this part of the Country. Election week being the time in which most of the people from the Country choose to indulge themselves with the wonders and pleasures of a City.

My Wife feeling desirous of going to the Gallery of Pictures at the Athenaeum, I took advantage of the day to go down with her. The exhibition strikes me less and less every time I go to see it. Though the good pictures are still worth attentive examination. There is a strong temptation held out there to buy. But I feel as if I could not properly purchase and must attend more strictly to those views which I have laid down for myself at present.

We returned late, and stopped at Mrs. Hale’s to see Mr. Everett who has returned. He looks pale and thin, somewhat exhausted from his labours in the Session. After dinner, I continued Dr. Parr for a portion of time, and spent a part in seeing the show of the Governor’s chairing with my Wife.2 They say it always rains on this occasion. This day was no exception certainly, for we had a number of showers during the day. Evening, reading Eustace and afterwards Parr.