The day looked dark and occasionally low’ring. It rained a little but finally cleared away. We made ready for our departure and accordingly shortly after breakfast the Stage called and took us in. We found Mr. Brooks and Mr. Davis together with all the other places but our’s occupied. Our ride was a pleasant one through Hingham, Scituate, Hanover, Marshfield, Duxbury and Kingston to Plymouth. It cleared off as we arrived, at the house kept by Mrs. Nicholson to dinner. A neat but old place near the Court house. Mrs. Nicholson is the Mother of Mrs. Edward Miller of Quincy and has acquired property enough to retire from the business of a common Inn to that of a boarding house.

We dined and in the afternoon were visited by several of the Plymouth gentlemen who accompanied us round the town. We went to their building for their Meetings as a Society of Antiquaries, saw the fragment of the Rock upon which the first of the Pilgrims is supposed to have stepped, which is now inclosed by a fine iron railing in the middle of the town where it has been moved. We then went to the burying ground where but few of the most ancient stones remain, then to the Court House where we saw the records of the first Settlers.

Plymouth is a somewhat flourishing town even at this day, but its principal pride is in its historical recollections.1 As the place upon which a few pious conscientious men founded a State which with all it’s deviations yet bears much of the primitive stamp, it will ever be memorable. To think of landing here on the 22d of December without a shelter and three thousand miles from what once was a beloved home. The idea as I stood upon the burying place which is high and overlooks the harbour made me shiver. Yet even I could do as much with a sufficient motive.

Home. Evening, a variety of visits.2 Judge Russell and two sons, two Messrs. Davis, nephews of our companion and Dr. Thacher.

The day opened very bright and after breakfast we started in an open Barouche, taking leave of some of our friends, for a place seven miles off called Menomet Ponds, where the sea opens to the view and there is a fine chance commonly for catching fish. It proved today exceedingly windy and discouraged almost all of the party. Several gentlemen from Plymouth had joined us and my father insisting upon going, Mr. T. Hedge1 and young Mr. Russel with myself went with him in the boat to the point about thirty rods from the land. We caught very few fish, and what was worse I became very seasick. This was doleful. I had no disposition to fish if I had had ever so many bites which I had not. My father caught two codfish which made him content to return and glad was I when we trod on terra firma again.

Fortunately my stomach was not put entirely out of tone, and I 217made a tolerable dinner. The company present were Dr. Thatcher and Bartlett, Mr. T. Hedge, Judge Russell and his son, Mr. Davis’ nephews and Mr. Gilbert a lawyer who boards at Mrs. Nicholson’s. My father talked with great vigor and appeared to much advantage.

Dinner over, we started again for Sandwich taking leave of the gentlemen who had been very civil and attentive. Our ride in the Barouche was through heaps of sand and a pine forest in which it would appear unpleasant to lose the track. We doubted for one moment, which was very disagreeable, but finally came out right.

The distance was said to be only eight or ten miles but proved fifteen and we did not get to the house at Sandwich until nearly seven. We were expected. There were several persons here whom we knew. Mr. and Mrs. J. Walker, Mr. J. H. Hayward and his Wife, Mr. Gedney King and his Wife, a Mr. Emmons and a Mr. Hooper. After tea we passed the evening in conversation by the fire and dipping into the Newspapers. Much talk of the appearance of the Comet.