This being the day fixed for breaking up our establishment at Quincy and returning to town I made all the necessary arrangements and started at nine o’clock. My morning in town was taken up very much in commissions and a variety of occupations. I have written a letter to Mr. Madison and inclosed to him one of my Pamphlets. I do not know what his health is but I hope it will enable him to give me an answer.1 I was obliged to go home in order to see what necessary arrangements must be made. The house looked as a house always does after a long absence—Things disarranged and cheerless.

Among other curious incidents of the day was a great fire that took place this morning and burnt J. G. Roberts’ book bindery with many other buildings.2 This is interesting to me as there are many of my books there, among the rest my Library of Useful Knowledge, and several valuable Volumes of my father’s. As there is no help for this so it must be endured.

Home to dinner. Afternoon, occupied in my study putting away and arranging. Yet I felt excessively depressed. I have enjoyed myself very much at Quincy this summer. And though the want of comfort there is very great, yet the kindness of the family and the agreement in which we have lived has more than compensated for it all. Not being able to fix myself to anything I went out to give some orders. Long walk. Evening it rained so that my Wife could not go out, as she had intended to Miss Gorham’s. Conversation with her. Wrote afterwards.

My child Louisa feels the separation from her little cousins exceedingly. And I am more affected by the manifest effect of it upon her spirits than by my own feelings. I went to the Office and occupied myself as much as possible with the Accounts of the Quarter as well as putting up and sending away many of my Pamphlets. I send one to the President without any name. One to the editor of the Centinel, and one to T. K. Davis. I must send to the Senators all of them.

My paper does not sell. I was a fool to suppose it would. I must send them at my own cost. The public taste is not for constitutional controversies, and especially from my source. The Community discourage talent when connected with great name. I must submit to this fate with a good grace. My conscience is free if I can say with truth that I have striven as few young men in my place would have done.

Home. Afternoon, work in my study upon arranging my grandfather’s papers. Some of these must be dispatched as early as practicable. I also took a copy of Mr. Jefferson’s Opinion upon the President’s power of appointment, a most valuable paper.

Evening. Went to the Theatre and heard Mr. and Mrs. Wood in the Barber of Seville. I have seen this piece amazingly often and yet enjoy it almost as much as ever. Their singing would make almost any thing pleasant. The cast of the piece much as usual excepting that a Mr. Brough whom the Woods have brought out with them played Basil and filled up the part as has not before been done. He is a good bass singer.1 The concerted pieces were given with great effect, and the Orchestra played in excellent time. On the whole, much gratified. Home before ten.