Morning fine and beginning to be quite warm. Went to the Office where I did very little owing to many interruptions. John Kirke, my father’s man came to me, for directions having brought in with him the horse I sent for and being about to take out the other, who has 259much recovered from his illness, and now promises to get well. He brought in a letter from my father with some commissions to perform,1 which I set about instantly. In the first place to get bottles for his Madeira, which I succeeded in doing though at what I thought a great price. I then went to buy some Porter and Ale which I thought I obtained low. Having finished this and bargained with Mr. Forbes about the hire of a Gig for the Summer which I obtained at a reasonable rate, I returned to the Office where I had a visit from my friend Briggs.2 He has not been to see me for a long time. Indeed he was not ever a particular intimate of mine. George loved him much. At College I knew him and when he was studying here. I was glad to see him, and to hear that he was succeeding well at his place of residence, Augusta in Maine. But I could not help a shade of moral speculation upon thinking of the change which had come over both of us since we last met, and poor George has ceased to live. Richardson came in afterwards for a short time and after him Mr. Curtis upon nothing in particular.

After dinner I started off with my Wife to Watertown to pay a visit to Edward Brooks and his Wife, and Gorham and his Wife who have returned and are established at the place of Mr. Shepherd.3 We had quite a pleasant time. Gorham Brooks was more civil to me than I had ever known him, but I shall never get over the first impression. He was guilty of no civility when I first came here and when I needed and felt grateful for attention.4 His wife is pleasing. After tea we rode to Medford where we found Mr. Frothingham and Mr. Stetson. Evening quiet.

Mild rain until twelve when it cleared off and by evening became cold. Attended divine service all day and heard Mr. Frothingham 260preach two very good Sermons. He has a finished and elegant style, and though it is a little too studied and laboured for general comprehension, yet I think it has much merit. I am more pleased as I know more of the man, for his social qualities are very creditable to him. Mr. Brooks goes on much as usual, his spirits a little revived perhaps. I find myself able to do little or nothing on Sundays, and must bend my mind down to be satisfied with the waste of time. Tried to read two or three Essays of Vicesimus Knox but with very little success.1 Evening a short walk with Mr. Brooks and Mr. Frothingham along the Canal and returned to talk away the evening.