Cloudy and slight showers of rain. I went to town accompanied by Walter. But I had little leisure to attend to any thing. I first went to an Auction Room where some Engravings were sold. Purchased one. Then to Mrs. Frothingham’s, then to the Exhibition of the Horticultural Society at Faneuil Hall. This was a very pretty collection of 388things from the gardens in the vicinity of the town. A great display of grapes, peaches, pears and apples, together with flowers of many varieties. The hall was decorated with these in very good taste. I found a great many people whom I knew, and was engaged in conversing with them. The birds and the gold fish added much to the effect of the scene. I hurried away and accompanied Walter to the North end for the purpose of going over to East Boston but not readily finding the ferry and it becoming late I desisted. Returned with him to Quincy to dine.

Found my Mother pronounced a little better. She seemed to me however still suffering very much. In the evening after the visit of the physician I thought she improved and was quite lively. Indeed this activity betokens to me some remainder of fever. Conversation with my father who is dull, and after all retired, Goethe’s Werther, and dipped into the Pensees Ingenieuses of Bouhours.1

I remained at Quincy until four or five o’clock. My time was not passed very usefully and yet agreeably. There is a great deal of pleasure to be derived from the desultory reading in a Library. It prevents the necessity of continued thought and yields a variety that is inspiriting. I read some of Antoine Hamilton’s rambling stories which are told with a good deal of volatile humor.1 Also Werther the other extreme of sentimentality. My father’s library is a treasure from which I scarcely draw enough.

In the afternoon as it seemed to threaten rain I concluded to start for Medford. My Mother seemed better, and yet she has more fever and consequent strength than I perfectly confide in. I did not reach home until evening. Finished the Essays of Elia which have on the whole disappointed me.

Morning to town with my Wife and Mr. Brooks in the Carriage. My first business was to call upon Miss Oliver the Tenant in Hancock 389Street and see the house. She pointed out several things to be done which I made a memorandum of and then announced the increase of rent from the 1st of January, upon which I left. Occupied at my Office, but Sidney Brooks came in about his Letters and made me an interruption for some time. I did not even finish the arrears in my Journal which are now perpetually occurring. Never was a man more occupied about nothing than I.

To Medford to dine. Afternoon not entirely useless. Read more of the Doctor and several epistles in the last book of Ovid. I am glad of it for I am almost tired out. The Metamorphoses come next to which I hope to pay attention. W. G. Brooks and his Wife came in and took tea. Quiet evening. I read another of Lafontaine’s Novels, Herr von Lange. Very much pleased with it.