Morning clear with a cold air. My Wife appeared quite sick so that I concluded to send for a Physician, and go immediately to Quincy for the purpose of preventing the family from coming in as they had intended. It is one of the drawbacks of coming home to me that no sooner do I get here than one or the other of my family get sick.

I reached Quincy and found the family as usual having given up the idea of coming in today. I took the opportunity to walk over to the Quarries and get a return from Colburn and from Hardwick, and thence to my cellar which remains much as it was. Mr. Spear has secured the well, but nothing is yet done either with the cellar or the lumber. Dined with the family and returned home immediately afterwards. Nothing of any particular consequence. Conversation with my father about his affairs which it must be confessed he manages in a manner quite original with him.

On getting home, I found my wife poorly but better than I had expected. She retired to bed early so that I spent the evening in reading Grahame, whose book is a valuable one, perhaps improved upon the last edition.

A fine day. I went to the Office and was engaged most of my time in preparing a packet for my father inclosing various papers, among others two blank checks, which Mr. Frothingham1 requested me to have filled by him being for balances due by the Bank of the United States upon old accounts of his. This a very providential discovery of funds and puts me much at ease respecting my prospect until the first of January. This is always the season when my father and I are generally both run pretty hard and I think hereafter I shall take more decisive measures to prevent inconvenience.

Returned to the House where I found quite a crowd of company. My Mother and Mary with Dr. Bigelow, Mr. Brooks, Mrs. Ignatius Sargent, and Mrs. Frothingham. My Wife was better but hardly well able to stand this press of company. I staid but a short time and then returned again, but my morning was broken up. My Mother and Mary staid to dine and in the afternoon, so that this was also consumed. Evening at home. My Wife went to bed early so that I continued Grahame.