The morning was delightfully pleasant. I give no daily account of the state of my family because I thank Heaven that as yet they are well. And the incidents of the past week have been so numerous, I have said nothing of my brother’s departure which we regret. Since the difficulty his manner to me has been changed to so great an extent, that I have felt a return of my ancient good feeling which time and haughty treatment had as I thought destroyed. He and his Wife have also treated mine in a way which I shall not soon forget. They have been kind and obliging to her at a moment when such conduct was essential. I hope the time may come when I can do something to show my grateful feeling.

Office. Mr. Hallett called upon me–A long political conversation. The plot thickens, but nearly all my father’s political friends have deserted him. And the fire of Masonic hatred is opened upon him with a fury that baffles conception. The course of Mr. Webster, A. H. Everett and his brother, Governor Lincoln and others will be worth remembering. What a situation this puts me into here! But inasmuch as I cannot help myself, my way is to grin and bear it. Only basing myself upon the broad ground of principle and taking care to justify every one of my acts by some suitable motive in my own mind.

Rode to Quincy to dinner. Found my father and mother pretty well. I was surprised to hear A. H. Everett had been here, and stated a piteous case to my father. He says he must leave the State. Is this true? or is it for effect upon my father’s compassion? Time will disclose this. 188I went with my Mother to Mrs. Adams’ on business. Finished what I had to do and returned. Conversation. Informed by my father of his political plan of action,1 also of Quincy’s affair which is the turning point of the canvass. Returned home. Evening, copying a letter for my father.

Morning cloudy with heavy rain in showers throughout the day and night, yet very warm. I went to the Office, where my time was very much taken up in Accounts and the various little items attending particularly upon this Quarter day. Mr. Peabody called in for a few minutes but without saying much of importance. He inquired when Quincy was to be forthcoming with his publication. I told him he had written to Govr. Lincoln with a strong probability that it might delay him. Collected Dividends at the several Banks and on the whole my time went so rapidly that I was late home. No reading again. Afternoon reading the Letters of my Grandfather.

I this day received payment for my July Article in the North American Review. Better late than never. My other one makes no progress. I began but became dissatisfied directly this evening. My critical reading of Virgil continues, as also does dipping into Voltaire. This last however grows tiresome. Read two Acts of Racine’s Brittanicus. I think I may indulge in a few observations presently. My only objection that they take too much room.

It rained when I arose and there was a rainbow in the West which Sailors generally would consider a forerunner of bad weather. The day was nevertheless clear and mild as if it was September. I went to the Office. My whole time again taken up in Accounts and paying bills. Mr. Curtis called and I delivered to him the leases. It is not a little remarkable that when I bring down a valuable book here to read, my time appears immediately to be so taken up that there is not an instant to attend to any thing of the sort. However as the Quarter time 189passes, my leisure will increase, and I am quite determined I will not waste so much of it as I have been in the habit of doing.

Called upon Mr. Hallet to disclose my father’s plan to him, but he was not at home. Took a walk. My mother and Elizabeth C. Adams came in, the latter to see me but I had given up all idea of seeing them so that I was out of the way.

Afternoon engaged in copying a long Letter to Mr. G. A. Otis from my father. I also finished the volume of Letters, which my Grandfather did not complete. By trying to get in too much he failed in getting enough. The State Papers he inserted would have been preserved in other shapes. The remarks in self defence which he would have made are now lost. So it is with fate. Read the remainder of Brittanicus together with La Harpe’s Commentary upon it.1 Lounger as usual.