The air had a much colder feeling this morning, and more suitable to the advanced period of the Season. But it was still cloudy and drizzle. I went to the Office, where I read my German as usual, only interrupted by several applicants for my small House and by Mr. 370Curtis who called expecting to meet here Mr. D. Greenleaf to finish the business of the Neponset Bridge Shares. But the latter did not come.1 I then went to the Athenaeum to obtain one or two books instead of my old ones which I have already kept too long. Met Edward Brooks there and we conversed some time upon indifferent matters taking up the time until two o’clock.

After dinner, I was occupied upon Cicero de Oratore for some time, but my study again smoked so much I had my attention very much broken. I completed however the second portion of the third Book—Though relapsing a little into my superficial mode of reading. This will cause a review, which will I hope be now pretty thorough. I think this book is worth most attentive study by any one who wishes to learn the principles of Oratory. I read besides the usual quantity of Corinne with my Wife, a little of Lady Morgan’s Book of the Boudoir, a Work I have heard much derided.2 Afterwards Finished the Tenth Book of Paradise Lost and reviewed a part of it, besides reading my Two Numbers of the Tatler.

Morning clear and much colder than heretofore. I went to the Office as usual and received a visit from Mr. D. Greenleaf about the Shares of the Neponset Bridge Corporation. Read my German and made up my Accounts as usual. But owing to the fact that Mr. Brooks had sent for us to go to Medford, my time was too much broken to allow of any very material improvement of it. It is grievous to me to see how my mornings go in spite of all my best resolutions but so it is and, the more I try, the more impossible it seems to help it.

We started to go out of town at one o’clock in Mr. Brooks’ Carriage with Mrs. Everett. The roads were not over good, and when we arrived at Medford, every thing seemed pretty desolate. This is the first time we have been up there since Mrs. Everett was established,1 and the change does not seem very agreeable besides the different appearance which the House has when Winter approaches. I walked down in the Afternoon to see old Mr. Warren and get a receipt from him for the Trees purchased which he very readily gave. He is an old man of 371Eighty two and writes with much clearness yet. Such is vigorous old age.

Evening, I read Mr. Everett’s Lecture upon the Working Men’s Party2 and an article on the same subject in the Christian Examiner.3 I liked them both, particularly as there is now a current rising in this Country upon that subject which needs checking. It deserves very attentive consideration from every honest Citizen.