The morning was cold, cloudy and with a little snow, but as the wind promised a clear day I went to town. Time taken up at Office and in Commissions for my father, my Agency and myself. Called upon my father’s Tenant, Fuller for a settlement of rent and was hurried in doing nothing. Rode to Quincy to dine. Found my Mother better but still unwell and hardly able to move from her sofa. I passed the afternoon in desultory conversation. My plans continue very unsettled. I hope to receive such definitive intelligence in a few days as will set at rest the mere question between my going to Washington or taking my own House. Evening, a very pleasant conversation with my father, upon Alexander Hamilton, Jefferson and Knox. T. B. Adams there at tea. Quiet evening. Werther.

I arose very early this morning and went down to fish for smelts. The air was sharp and I thought would probably be very favorable but I hardly had a bite. After three hours expectation I returned home. Morning in consequence pretty short. I read a little more of Werther finishing the first part. A very curious book with some very powerful passages in it, and others that are perfectly burlesque. Afternoon, I started shortly after dinner and reached Medford by six o’clock. The evening quite sharp. Mr. Price Greenleaf called and conversed in a very lively manner. I read German.

As my Wife was going to town in the Carriage, Mr. Brooks and I accompanied her. Morning engaged in several Commissions. Went to the House and from there to several other places with my Wife. Time short.

Mr. Devereux and Walsh called and consumed some of it in their schemes. They are unsettled by the present motion in Offices and wish to make hard bargains out of me.1 I do not know whether it is wise to resist them or not. I hope these revolutions will cease with the present completion of the Street. My father’s property here ceases to 404be productive in one part when it begins in another. So that on the whole things remain pretty even.

Home by the way of Cambridge to enquire after Mrs. Parks’ condition which is very bad. Afternoon, I did not feel at all well. But I pursued my usual avocations which hardly need recapitulating as I do so often. Evening read Ovid Metamorphoses, which do not, I think, hold out quite so well as I had anticipated. More conceit and less beauty.