Three years ago on this day, I was married. So far, I have never had occasion to repent it. Much has been said upon the danger of marrying 357early, but for a man constituted like me I believe it to be something of a safeguard.

Went to town with the expectation of remaining all day, but as the Boylston Market Directors did not meet I returned at the usual time. J. Q. Adams Jr. went in with me. I was engaged morning round in various errands, and doing little or nothing serious.

On my return, found my Mother had gone to town and was not yet returned. Afternoon, I read some of Seneca though not much from it’s being shorter than usual from delay of dinner. Evening quiet at home.

Heavy rain and cold. I remained at home all the morning, trying to revive my taste for the examination of Cromwell’s life. I did not do much in that way as I could not find the authorities upon which the assertions against him are founded.

At noon, I accompanied my father to a Meeting of the Proprietors of Neponset Bridge. They generally have a Dinner at Squantum, Mr. Beale’s place, upon that day. The weather was dreadful for so exposed a situation. Mr. T. Greenleaf, Mr. Miller, Mr. Gourgas, Mr. Beale, Price Greenleaf and I were the only persons there. Our dinner was Chowder, Wine and indifferent Fruit. It was so cold that I drank an unusual quantity of Wine.

We returned home, and I read to the Ladies part of the Book of Mr. Vidocq, a scoundrel of the French Revolution.1 But my Wine being Claret and turning very acid upon my Stomach, I felt quite unwell before going to bed. I read the Adventurer as usual.

Fine morning. I arose feeling very unwell and my sickness did not abate for some hours. Indeed I do not know when my stomach has been so completely bouleversée as it was this morning. I am taught by this, first that I was very imprudent in my Diet, secondly, that I have been somewhat out of order, thirdly, that I drank more Wine than I ought and of an improper kind. It is rare that I find myself brought up to account on this score. And it is not a little astonishing to me that it should be at a time when prudence is essentially necessary to life. I was good for nothing all the morning and lost a pleasant dinner at which Dr. Waterhouse was present from Cambridge. Read a consider-358able portion of Stone’s book upon Masonry — A treatise which goes very far to sustain the whole principle of Anti-masonry.1 Evening. Conversation with my father upon it, until late. I retired to bed, taking Medicine and omitted the Adventurers.