Morning at the Office. Weather again turned off clear and cold. I went early this morning to be ready for any call which might be made upon me. Soon after I had reached there, Mr. Hubbard the Sexton of the Parish at Quincy came and I accompanied him to the Vessel where I saw the remains of my poor brother transferred to his Waggon and on their road to their final resting place.1 It gave me at the moment a strong feeling of melancholy, for I knew him well and was witness to much of the latter part of his feverish dream. For such it was indeed. Here was the close of all his views, and if his steps were retrograde during the latter part of life even in spite of himself, here they met a termination almost too abrupt to afford our feelings any solace. Much in him there was that I admired, much that I wish I could imitate, but still there was unfortunately more that was equally unfit for him and for me.2 And I rest comforted in the strong conclusion that I have come to that he would not have lived for his 85own good had God spared him longer. May Heaven deal mercifully with his Soul. His earthly remains lie with those of his Fathers.

I spent an hour in the Supreme Court hearing Mr. Webster and Judge Orne sparring upon an Insurance case.3 The former has a magnificent way with him. It strikes me with wonder whenever I see it. It is power in truth over our fellow creatures. I would give much to possess it—And why not try? The field is open to the bold, the perservering and the brave. I am conscious of some power that way. Why not endeavour to turn it to some advantage.

I translated a little but not much of Pufendorf. This work lags in it’s latter end. I also attended a sale of Flower roots in which I purchased a considerable number, they going very low. I carried them directly home. Afternoon as usual, reading Aeschines but instead of doing all my common quantity of Translation, I took a part of the time to read Mr. Mitford’s Account of the Two Orations on the Crown which made me as angry as it always does. Although I must agree with him in the force of evidence adduced on the two first points of the Oration of Aeschines. But I do not as yet see the same weight in the third. As I was about to continue Clarissa to Abby, we were interrupted by Edmund Quincy who came and sat pleasantly all the Evening.

Morning at the Office. Weather bright and cold. I attempted a little translation but did not progress far before Mr. Curtis came in to see and meet my father who got there half an hour afterwards. I went into the Supreme Court for a little while but found them still occupied upon the details of the Insurance Cause. My father and Mr. Curtis called to finish the Conveyances which were to be made of Mr. Boylston’s property before his going away. They sat all the morning, and signed the conveyance of Land to John Bullard, the 86Assignment and the Deed to Towne, which were acknowledged before Mr. Gay as Magistrate. I then had some conversation with my father upon his Affairs, which are not now at this moment entirely easy. We made arrangements by which he will be relieved for the present, to be taken out of the next proceeds from his Estate here.1 He has very much changed his nature as to expenses here, for now he has been so long accustomed to large funds that the restraint of his private means comes upon him. I hope he will not be driven to incroach upon his Capital at all for should that happen, my own expectations must soon be realized. I am anxious myself to make provision against such an event gradually, so as2 that I may relieve him from the pressure of my Allowance—Although I think that it is not much more than my labour on his account deserves.3

My father dined with me and in the afternoon transferred his share of the Athenaeum to me, for which I am very much obliged to him.4 It will be of considerable service to me. He then started to go to Medford whither Mr. Brooks had invited him to go to spend Thanksgiving.5 I went to my study and passed a short afternoon in finishing the Suppliants of Aeschylus. It is a very simple specimen of the original drama. The fifty daughters of Danaus fly from Egypt to avoid marrying the Sons of Aegyptus, they call upon the King of the Greeks to protect them, who promises so to do, the Herald of the Bridegrooms comes to claim them and is refused. As La Harpe observes this is rather a Dramatic Poem, but we do not feel the less bound to admire it upon that account. It’s simplicity is one of it’s principal charms, but after all so far as we can judge at this day it seems affectation to think these Plays superior to our modern productions. The latter have the advantage of being compelled to reach a standard already assumed, an advantage not to the author but to the merit of the piece if successful.

In the evening, Abby had the usual meeting of her family with the addition of Mr. and Mrs. Alex. H. Everett. The Evening passed off not very pleasantly, to me, on some accounts. But these are my misfortunes not my fault. I am apprehensive of experiencing this bitterness more strongly perhaps as I go on. Mrs. Everett is a pleasant woman and I should be very glad to be on good terms with them while they live here.