Morning quite cool, so that it required a little courage to go into the bath. I have upon this visit found great advantage from this practice in the morning, and had I a convenient house for it, would always insist upon such an appendage. My Wife was so sick this morning that I was in doubt whether to leave or not, but after consideration of the difficulties on all sides I concluded that the wiser course would be to go. Accordingly, after breakfast, we started from Medford where I have enjoyed myself very well upon this visit, and reached town early.

My principal occupation was to go and see the Tenements in Common Street, two of which will now shortly be empty. They are in much better condition than I had anticipated, but after all real Estate is a great plague. It is always getting worn out, and requiring repairs. Returned and read a little of Hutchinson. Went early to Quincy, and found all the family much as I left them. John and Robert not gone. After dinner we resumed our Catalogue and progressed with it considerably. But the length of time which has elapsed has produced some confusion in my mind. My Mother seemed better. Evening quietly at home with the family. Conversed with my father about Junius and he read to us a part of the Rolliad.1

Morning pleasant. Rode to town as usual. My time very much taken up, first by going to the Athenaeum, then to the Justice Court to attend to Champney’s case, and then to see about a case Mrs. Wells has submitted to me. She is so poor that my advice is all a matter of charity. It seems she has been sued for a bill which she thinks has been paid, though she has no voucher of the fact. I thought the case a hard one, but did not make out enough to authorize me to recommend her appeal to Law. So I concluded I would go and see the Creditor. He told a different story, and seemed to insist upon it so earnestly that I did not know what to believe, and we came to no conclusion. Mrs. Wells has behaved so properly to me that I cannot think she has been to blame. The fault if any there is, lies between her son and the Creditor. My time was thus engrossed almost entirely, and I returned to Quincy a little late.

After dinner I went on with my Catalogue pretty rapidly, as my father was in a humour for it. Captn. Morris and his Wife paid a visit this afternoon.1 Abby was quite sick all day so as not to be able to join the family. Her suffering is generally very great. In the evening, I sat with her some time, and not to disturb her, retired myself very early.

Morning mild and pleasant. I attended at Meeting during the whole of the day and heard Mr. B. Whitney of Hingham preach. A man who seems to keep no course with the current of the times. A true Country Parson, without any hopes or wishes out of the line of his station. He dined with us and I was struck with the limited character of his observations. He is one of the old school of Clergy, and serves to show pretty clearly that on the whole there has been some advance in Theological education.

It rained in the afternoon, but Mr. and Mrs. Russel of Boston1 with Col. Quincy paid a visit notwithstanding. I continued my Alpha-302betical Catalogue during every minute of disposable time. Abby was much better today, so I sat up until eleven.