Morning to the Office. Occupied in reading a little of Marshall but I did not progress much. I cannot very fully explain how the time was passed but it went and apparently not without its uses. My father came in as I had expected and sat with me an hour. He seemed in very good spirits and talked upon a multitude of things, more especially the inscription which he is making to my Grandfather’s memory, and also of my Mother from whom he receives good accounts this morning.1 I am very glad to hear of this as I had feared much for her. He talked also of business and gave me commissions as usual. Little or nothing occurred otherwise. I returned to dine.

My father and Mr. Brooks dined with me.2 I did not feel easy as is my custom. When is it that I do feel easy in presence of Mr. Brooks—and why do I not? These questions are to me inexplicable. Perhaps the sense of my being a little dependent upon him for a good opinion is the thing which works upon me as a check. I have always felt as if there was a doubt about me upon his mind and as long as this lasts it does not seem to me probable that I shall ever alter. The dinner was therefore not nearly so pleasant to me as that which we had on last Saturday, and I was very glad that it was done.

In the afternoon Mr. Curtis called to see my father and I went up with Mr. Brooks to have him examine the Bookcases as he proposes having some made at his own house. Thus the time passed until the Carriage called for us by agreement to go to Quincy. And we started at five. Upon leaving, I met my Classmate Cunningham who has just returned from Europe.3 He does not look so well as he did and I had no opportunity to do more than barely recognize him. Our ride was through Milton and we did not reach Quincy until quite late and I was very cold. Indeed I found today that I had in some manner caught a cold which was not a pleasant idea to me. For it always gives me an impression that I have contracted a habit of body a little unfavourable. After a good Supper and a little Fire which was not by any means un-28comfortable, we spent the evening very quietly in amusing Conversation until an early retirement.

Morning fine but of the clear cold weather rather showing the season of November than our present month. My cold was quite bad during the whole day. We all attended Meeting during the day and heard Mr. Lamson of Dedham preach two quite sensible discourses. He is a fluent and ready writer, but not strong enough to give his pieces effect. The congregation looked to me smaller than I expected, but those who were presented were quite struck with the novelty of a bride, and so they looked at us well. Thomas and Isaac Hull dined with us and so we made quite a family party.1 In the afternoon as my Uncle came to see us and to invite us down there,2 we concluded to walk down and drink tea with them so as to return in the evening to be with my father. We found all the family comfortably situated and had quite a tolerable time. In the evening much company came in consisting of old acquaintances from the upper end of the town. My Uncle seems to be a Slave to this Company. It overruns his House and I do not wonder that it disables him from paying his way with his limited income. But I do not see by what code of morality my father is bound to impoverish himself and his children to keep them in idleness and a condition they cannot probably remain in. I am sorry for the Children because this is the punishment occasioned by the fault of the father.

We did not remain long, nor probably until the whole of the number 29who visit had arrived, and returned to find Josiah Quincy sitting with my father.3 The conversation was literary and turned upon the belief of literary men. It astonishes me more and more to perceive the extent and reach of the acquisitions of my father. There is no subject upon which he does not know a great deal and explain it with the greatest beauty of language. He has in the course of this day opened his information upon the subject of painting, of music and of historical characters—All of which have been handled with perfect ease and familiarity. He is a wonderful though a singular man, and now displays more of his real character than I have ever before seen.