A beautifully clear and fine morning, which I took advantage of to start for Quincy with Mr. Walsh. We arrived at the House by nine o’clock and I went directly up the hill to observe what they might be doing. I found less change from last Friday than I had expected. Mr. Spear had not yet come upon the ground at all which was rather a disappointment. Kirke was working hard upon removing the ground and the framers much where they were.

After loitering about doing little or nothing for an hour, I concluded to go over to the Quarries and see what they were about. Found them very busy at Hardwick’s and Dutton’s, but doing nothing at Colburn’s, and Chadwick wishes to surrender his Lease. I had some little commissions for the active men which being performed I returned and then to Boston which we reached before one o’clock. This is the agreeable way at this season of the year.

Home to read Homer. Afternoon Burnet a little, then Plutarch and 222afterwards Agathon. My wife went to Medford with her father and did not return until late. So we did not read. Afterwards writing to Mr. Johnson.1

Another fine day. I went to the Office. Mr. Conant from Weston with some rent. I was engaged somewhat in accounts. After examining the whole subject, I concluded to remit to Mr. Johnson again through S. Welles. I find my conjecture is right as to the substance of the letters to Mr. Shepherd so that my interposition was not out of time. I shall write but somewhat in a higher tone. The whole business of his property is a bore and I wish I could be released from it.

Called at the Athenaeum and went in to see some pictures offered there for sale. They are rather pretty but not of a very high style. Principally Dutch. Flowers, dead game, &ca., and not dear so that I was tempted but held off.

Home. Greek. I am going over and over Homer’s first book to perfect, and I think I improve. Afternoon, Plutarch and Agathon which is very amusing but somewhat of the slippery kind. Wieland appears to have been a sensualist in theory, although he is not supposed to have been particularly so in practice.

Evening, call at Mr. Frothingham’s where I galloped over literary history and books with him a good deal and thence to W. G. Brooks. A number of the family and from inexperience, rather stiffish. Home at ten and then Wraxall for half an hour.

The Community here is now very much agitated by the bursting of the credit bubble which has been blown up within two years. The Chelsea Bank broke yesterday and today some very extensive private concerns.1 I have not been disappointed in any of my calculations, and my pamphlet although denied every opportunity of a public appearance by the combination of political motives, contains matter for reflection, not entirely lost in this Community.

To the Office where I was occupied as usual in drawing up Accounts. This took me until my hour for home and Greek, in which I think I make progress.

Afternoon, Mr. Walsh and I had agreed to take the railway cars as far as Brighton for the purpose of visiting the nursery of Winships, and procuring some trees, it being now the season of setting out.2 But we had made a mistake in the hour and were there too late. So we concluded not to be balked and I went in my Gig. We spent a couple of hours in looking over the Nursery which is large but I was disappointed very much in the character of the trees, which are not nearly so good as the chance ones I got from a person I pitched upon in the street some years ago. I was also disgusted with the rough and unbusinesslike airs of the managers.

Home by seven. We had a few friends, W. G. Brooks and his wife and her sisters, Mr. Brooks, P. C. Jr. and wife, Mr. Frothingham, his Wife and son. Supper slight. I felt head achy.