Cold, gusty day. I went to town and passed an hour there in business. Received a letter from T. B. Adams inclosing a bill in payment of his Note to me.1 This required attention which I accordingly paid.

At ten, I started for Quincy in consequence of my being so much disappointed by the rain of Saturday. I might have saved myself my trouble on both days as the principal object I had in going was frustrated. I nevertheless saw Mr. W. Spear and transacted business with him. The remainder of the day until my time of starting to return was taken up in examining the garden and reading in the Library.

At three after dinner I set out to return to Medford which I did through the Country. I passed through Dorchester, Roxbury, Brookline, Cambridge and West Cambridge embracing the prettiest portion of the vicinity of the City. I was much struck with the great change and improvement in the appearance of things in these towns since the time when I was at Cambridge and frequented them more. The tide of wealth is certainly flowing into this quarter of the world. But in all the modern buildings I think I perceive a tendency to make things too small, which gives a contracted look to places. The Cottage form seems 311to be nicely calculated as our houses are to the smallest possible quantity of room.

Evening at home. I read aloud to Mr. Brooks, the speech of Mr. Clay in answer to the President’s protest.2

Quite cold and cheerless for Country life. My Wife has by imprudent exposure caught a violent cold which has fixed in her throat and makes her very uncomfortable. I accompanied Mr. Brooks to town. Received a letter upon business from my brother at Washington and was engaged in other money matters.1 Called to see Mrs. Frothingham on some little commissions. The remainder of my morning wasted. Neither was the afternoon much better. After dinner, I rode down to see Mrs. T. B. Adams at Mr. J. Angier’s and make her the payment usual in April but which from her absence was delayed. Saw Mrs. Angier and her brother Mr. Luther. Stopped about half an hour only. Then home, children and Madame de Stael. Evening, Mr. Lincoln’s Speech aloud.2

Blustering, cold weather more like the month of March than May. There was a frost this morning which hazards very seriously the fruit for the year. I accompanied Mr. Brooks to town. Time taken up in various commissions, and making up my Diary and Accounts which my late absences have allowed to run backwards. Nothing new.

Surprised by the arrival of Thomas Doyle from Washington. I was at first fearful that I had sent on an unworthy character and he was therefore dismissed in disgrace. Yet I thought if that was the fact, he would hardly adventure to show himself before me. He showed me a very strong character given him by my brother John, and proceeded to explain his mortification at being dismissed to make room for a man and his Wife who were to come into the family. I was not a little mortified myself and resolved to be wiser in future. My notions are perhaps a little rigid upon these subjects, they certainly are very different from those held at Washington.1

Home to dinner. My wife suffers very severely from sore throat so as to make me quite anxious. The children however, thank Heaven, remain well. Madame de Stael, and Ovid, Medea to Jason. Evening. Read aloud to Mr. Brooks.