My morning was very much taken up by various arrangements which were necessary in advance of the little compliment we designed to pay this evening to Mrs. Robbins as well as the return to our numerous invitations since our stay in Boston.

I had intended to have had my child christened on the same day, considering it as the Anniversary of my Grandfather’s birth, but my father appearing to have an idea that by the true rule, twelve days instead of eleven should be allowed to the new style, I concluded to postpone it until tomorrow. I then arranged it for three in the afternoon but received a notice from Mr. Brooks that he had an engagement at his own house. So that I fixed it for high noon. But the whole thing kept me in a motion all the morning. The day was sultry and I was in that sort of feverish uneasy state which attends such experiences.

Went down to give Mr. Hallett a new number and found him at home. Had some conversation with him upon various topics, and particularly upon the project of a Convention. He asked me to write for the Taunton Antimasonic Newspaper and to think whether I would go as a delegate, to the Convention. The season December 28 is eminently unfit for me. It is my busy time. I did not refuse but I inclined to waive it. The prospects of the election are but middling. There is more energy exerted here than I had expected. Lucky that I am in a work which at least puts out of my eyes the ambition of Office seeking. My walking was great and fatiguing. Home, dinner and afterwards in my study. I thought I would write up enough to last and entirely disembarrass me from further call just at present.

The evening came and with it a heavy rain which prevented many 255from coming to the party. There were however quite enough. The bride and her party, and the Quincys, Everetts and others enough to make up about forty. The whole thing was quite a successful first effort. It went off quite as well as I had reason to expect or hope, and it was nearly one o’clock when wearied out by fatigue I was able to get up to bed moralizing upon the weariness of society and the satisfaction of being able to pay in full some of its empty debts.

A beautiful morning after the shower. My indiscretion in taking a little celery was punished by a head ache today. I felt really quite poorly. But nevertheless went out and occupied myself much as usual. Office, writing. William Spear came in and conversed about Quincy property. He had so much to ask of me that my father got in before he had done, and we were hurried to return to my house.

There were present at the christening only Mr. Brooks, my father and mother, Mr. Frothingham, Edward and Mrs. P. C. Brooks, Mrs. Everett, Mrs. John Adams and Elizabeth. Mr. Frothingham performed the service admirably. It was a little singular that a child of mine should be christened just one hundred years from the birth of his great grandfather.1 Three generations have advanced in a century. May the last who is carrying the name of the family into the next, be as honest, as determined and as conscientious as the first. I trust in a power above us which has for reasons unknown thought fit to make among us instruments for advancing the power, the honor and the prosperity of this Nation, and whose decrees are always just and always wise. My feelings always overpower me when I reflect how unworthy I am. Prosperity has been showered upon me. May I learn to deserve it!

The ceremony over, the family after slight refreshment dispersed, and by invitation of Mr. Brooks, I went with my father to dine at Medford. Nobody there but Mr. and Mrs. Everett and Edward Brooks. Dinner pleasant. I was not in trim much to enjoy it. We got home before six o’clock and my father and mother proceeded directly to Quincy. Quiet evening. We all retired early to make up for loss of sleep last evening. My boy John returned home today.