Morning wet and mild but it afterwards cleared away with a North Wester. I went to the Office and was somewhat occupied. Mr. Curtis came in with General Towne from Worcester County. And they wished me to draw up a Deed and Mortgage for the purpose of selling the remainder of the land owned by Mr. Boylston at Princeton in the 48homestead, with the exception of the 600 Acres reserved.1 They wanted it done by noon tomorrow, so that I worked pretty steadily until one and finished all but the description, which for the present, I merely put into a rough draft.

Took a walk. On my return home found Miss Elizabeth Phillips who has come to spend some days with my Wife. She has altered much since I first saw her. Her spirits have not yet recovered from the shock experienced by the behaviour of her lover.2 Afternoon, reading de Retz whose book does not hold on perfectly from its containing a little too much of the same thing. Evening, read one of Horace’s Satires, though they are misnamed, and then went to a little party given to the bride Mrs. Stevenson—Only forty or fifty people and a little fatiguing. We got home at half past ten.

Clear, bright day. I was engaged most of the morning in finishing off the deed and Mortgage, in comparing the description of the bounds with General Towne and in talking over the matter with Mr. Curtis. Ayer, the Carpenter then came in and we talked over the repairs necessary to be made upon the House lately occupied by Mr. Brackett.1 He gave me an estimate which I found too high, and I then appointed him to go down there tomorrow at ten o’clock. Not much time was left me, and I went to the Athenaeum to get a book on Architecture. Found nothing less than the Encyclopedia. From thence, I went to consult Dr. Hayward, a Surgeon of some eminence.2 For two or three years past I have found myself troubled with wens which have been increasing in number as well as in size. How or why they come I cannot divine, but as the prospect of their disfiguring me was very unpleasant, I have made up my mind to have them extracted. The Operation was short and not painful. So that I went to dinner as usual. Afternoon I felt easier because I was disembarrassed of three in my head. I am afraid I have more.

Read de Retz as usual. I also read the sixth Satire of Horace, some of the History of the United States, and some German. I accomplished 49thus much because I declined going to Mrs. B. Gorham’s where the ladies went.