Morning warm with a Southerly wind. I was occupied in writing my Diary in the morning which from my engagements has not been quite regularly kept. Attended divine service all day and heard Mr. Lunt in the morning form Acts 2. 23. “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” Upon the character and suffering of Christ an eloquent discourse preparatory to Communion. Afternoon 2 Corinthians 11 I think 23 or 24 but as I am not sure I will not quote the verse. It was a discourse upon the character of Paul in continuation of a former one and treating more especially of his labours at Corinth.

Upon our return in the afternoon, we found visitors, Messrs. Degrand and Clapp who took up the rest of the day so that I did not read Dr. Barrow regularly. I however made up the deficiency afterwards and think it as well to enter the record properly of Monday today. The subject was those words of the Apostle’s creed “Maker of heaven and earth” and the text from Acts 4. 24. “O Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is.” An examination of the creative Attribute of the divinity and of the antient doctrine which denied his formation of matter, a very sensible dis-106course. Evening, conversation with my father upon interesting questions of politics, the characters of the various actors in this pending election and the effect of their possible success.

The day was cool and on the whole clear. When I walked up the hill the first thing which attracted my attention was the news that one of my well diggers had broken his arm. It seems that some of the many idlers who flock up the hill of a Sunday had abstracted some of the working tools, and thinking that a pick axe might have been left in the well one of them went down to look after it. The Rope on which he was hanging accidentally dislodged a stone from the top of the wall which fell and broke his left arm just below the shoulder. I was exceedingly grieved at this accident thus throwing a poor labourer out of employ for so long a time and called immediately at Mr. Marsh’s the shoemaker’s to see him. He appeared to be suffering a good deal but the fracture was not a bad one and he was able to move about though very stiffly. I told him that I would aid him as well as I could.

I then took my gig and rode to Hingham to see Mr. Thayer a brick-maker with whom I was wishing to contract for bricks. After conversing with him and getting a promise that he would furnish me with a statement of his lowest prices next week I returned home directly. A man by the name of Chadwick called on an application for one of those ledges yet vacant on the farm and above Colburn’s. I accompanied him to the spot and in the course of the walk we agreed upon the price and dimensions of the lot and the general terms which I agreed to have ready and committed to writing by Thursday at noon ready to sign. Thus I got home late to dinner.

Afternoon, I went up the hill and agreed with the head of the gang that I would try and get a free bed for the wounded man at the Hospital, and he should come and see about it tomorrow at my Office. The two men who remained got through with their work about five and one of them then proposed to take the wounded man into town.

Home where I read Livy but the Afternoons are now so short as to prevent much work. Evening, the family and cards after which I read the discourse of Barrow neglected yesterday.

Morning cloudy with a high Easterly wind and occasional dashes of rain, as if preparing for a higher storm. I went into town, feeling in 107some degree necessitated as well from my promise to the wounded man as from the beginning of the Quarter. My time flew after getting there, for I first was obliged to go as far as the Washington Bank to collect the semi-annual Dividends due there, which distance is something, then to see Mr. Brooks and make application for his free bed. He expressed a willingness to recommend the man provided a proper Certificate from a physician according to the prescribed form could be obtained.

Mr. Higgins called upon me very shortly afterwards and mentioned the fellow’s case. I made him the offer and stated the previous condition, but he said the man appeared to entertain the Irish prejudice about hospitals and having got among his friends desired to stay there. He said he should not have advised me to go on through the rock in my well if he had been there as he finds quite as frequently it lets off the water lying above the rock as that it admits any from below. I am glad of this at any rate, as it releases my mind from the uneasiness of having too hastily judged. I settled with him for his work, considering it as done although the wall is left five feet below the surface. This is done to allow of tight boxing.

I saw Alexander H. Everett today and he after discussing political affairs some time came out at last with a proposition to write the Democratic Address in his District. I told him I would think of it and give an answer tomorrow.

My rides in and out were unpleasant today. Afternoon so short that I was hardly able to do any thing. Drew one part of a form of Lease for Mr. Chadwick and assorted a paper or two. This was all. The darkness set in before I could set down to effective work upon Mr. Everett’s Address. Evening at home. Mr. Price Greenleaf came in and talked for an hour, after which I felt so fatigued, I retired early.