Morning cloudy but it cleared away and became pleasant in a short time. I rode to town as usual and found time enough to write my Diary, finish Walpole, and several little jobs, before the hour appointed for the Meeting of the Citizens to decide upon the Railway. This I attended and heard all the arguments if so they should be called both for and against the measure. The people were not overmuch disposed to hear those in opposition to the scheme and so I came off disgusted with the result.1 A Town Meeting is no place to hear argument or attempt discussion. And when a people are taken with such schemes as these, they will often be led, by very inconsiderable persons. So it is now. Such men as Henry Williams, Henry H. Fuller, and David L. Child to direct the deliberations of the City of Boston! 2 The idea is ludicrous when disjoined from the serious consequences which may it is feared ensue. The morning was nearly consumed however and after reading a little of Hutchinson, I returned to Medford. In the afternoon, Mr. Frothingham and I were left quite alone as the remainder of the family went to see their brothers and sisters at Watertown. So we had a solitary cup of tea and I a short stroll along the Canal. The night was beautiful.

Morning to town. Weather cloudy and it rained a little. I was very busy during the day, first in going to the House to get the Certificates of State Bank Stock. I felt a little melancholy upon going there. It is not to be denied that I should relish being there for my individual self above any other place. I dressed myself and returned to the Office from whence I went to meet Mr. Degrand and then effected the transfer of all my Father’s Interest in the State Bank. I then deposited the money, and found my father in town and at my Office ready to finish. He then placed three thousand dollars at the disposal of T. B. Adams Jr. and finished the whole business.1 He then gave me several bills to pay which carried me all the way to the Boylston Market, on my return dropped in to the sale of Stocks which went enormously high so I gave up the notion of buying. My Uncle, the Judge called in and Mr. Curtis to see my father, who went out at one and thus consumed my day.

Returned to Medford and after dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Edward, and Mr. and Mrs. Gorham Brooks with Miss Silsbee came over to spend the afternoon and take tea. The last young lady has had much fame, but a less pleasing young woman to me has seldom been seen in my experience.2 I think Ellen3 is a fine woman, and though there is much in her lot which might try many, she seems to bear it all with great patience. I see nothing in Gorham Brooks, which tells well for his character. My feelings may be prejudiced but they do not commonly deceive me. Quiet Evening.

Morning fine. Rode to town as usual and went to the Office. After remaining there some time to write up my Journal which has of late suffered a little from irregularity, I went to the Athenaeum and changed my Walpole for the first volume of Dr. Parr’s Works which 294contains his memoirs by a certain Dr. Johnson,1 the legitimate Writer against the intruder Mr. Field whom I have already read. From this place I went down to my father’s Estate in Tremont Street and put up a Notification that my Tenement was to let by way of jogging Hollis’ Memory.2 I propose to make a Revolution in all that business and that as soon as may be. My houses suffer and my father’s income suffers, this is too much at once. Returned home and read a little of Hutchinson before my return to Medford.

Mr. and Mrs. Everett dined with us and we had quite a pleasant afternoon. Mr. E. was more communicative and I more easy than at any time in my recollection. The evening was beautiful and we enjoyed it, but I felt so fatigued that I was glad to go to bed early. I again felt the uneasy symptoms I complained of several days since.