The morning was clear and cool, though warmer than yesterday. I went to town as usual. On looking over the Newspaper I noticed the death of Mr. T. Welsh. I do not know when I have been more shocked. The notice came so suddenly and I had seen him within a few days in the enjoyment of such full health, that I could hardly believe it real. I sent to ascertain the nature of the case and found it was something like Apoplexy, which on the whole nobody could be surprised at. Yet such things come like a thunder clap from a clear sky, as if to warn us of another world. I decided to remain in town and attend the 88Funeral.1 My time was occupied in writing my Diary. Mr. S. Brown called about some Mercantile Marine Insurance Shares which I purchased at 24 per Cent advance. They are for my Father and T. B. Adams Jr.2 The advance looks large, but they have in addition to the ordinary profits of their business added fifty thousand dollars to their Capital, and they make regular semi-annual Dividends of five per Cent, which I think makes the Stock worth it. At any rate, it is a present investment and if my father should say a word in disapprobation of the price, I have had the shares put in my name so that I will advance their price and take them myself. I read today in the Bibliotheque d’un Homme public, a fancy called, La République des Philosophes ou Histoire des Ajaoiens, attributed to Fontenelle.3 An amusing chateau en Espagne.

Dined at Mrs. Frothingham’s quietly and comfortably, and sent a message out by them as they were about visiting the family at Quincy, not to be alarmed. At four I attended the Funeral. Found there a considerable number of persons, members of his immediate Circle and of the Bar, though but two blood relations. But a few months since I followed to the same spot his father. Thus it is that families vanish from the face of the earth. There are few men in Boston I shall miss more than this. Almost daily I saw him in his Office or in the Street and he had been more friendly to me than was customary with him to any body. I could not help feeling melancholy upon it. Returned to Quincy immediately and passed the remainder of the day and evening quietly. Mrs. and Miss Whitney called to see the Ladies. Read Grimm and the Spectator.

Morning clear and pleasant. I went to the Office after riding into town as customary. My time was taken up in the ordinary way, writing my Diary, and in reading a portion of Puffendorf as abridged in the Bibliotheque d’ un Homme Public.1 But I felt disposed to conversation so I went to make a visit to my old acquaintance T. Davis. Found him alone and had quite a pleasant discourse of an hour and a half. So that I left myself little time remaining. Called to see Mr. Brooks but found him engaged so that I returned directly from town.

Afternoon quietly at home although I must plead guilty to doing very little. My present unsettled state here is the cause of this, and as usual I am forming great plans of study for my return which may or may not be accomplished as it pleases God. One thing however is certain, that only at home can I pursue any thing with that thoroughness which alone gives me any Kind of satisfaction. My Wife was not very well all day. I returned to their places my Grandfathers papers, and read in a very desultory manner from several books. Evening, the family went up to the Judge’s to take Tea and I to pass an hour. Returned with my father but he was very silent. Read Grimm and the Spectator.