The morning was quite pleasant, and I went to town. Time taken up much as usual. Called upon Mrs. Frothingham and from thence to my House and to the Office. A variety of small commissions cut time very much into nothing.

Engaged in Accounts and received a visit from Mr. Fuller1 with an account of the feeling of Abolitionists in favor of my father. He brought Miss Martineau’s book. He took occasion to inquire of me my opinions. I told him with great frankness what they were—said that I 275had published them in the Advocate and they had been very extensively republished in the Antimasonic and Abolition papers2—that while I entirely dissented from the Abolition views respecting the District of Columbia, I was yet clearly in favour of discussion, and would by no means give to the principle of Slavery any thing more than the toleration which the Constitution had granted. These are not views to suit parties, but I have outlived the desire of conciliating them.

Home. Afternoon called at Mrs. Adams’ where I transacted business and then to my own House where I got into a passion with Mr. Ayer for his obstinacy. Evening nothing remarkable. Mr. and Mrs. Quincy spent an hour.

Morning fine. I was called to give directions to the Stone cutter who was finishing his work. The house now goes on pretty fast in the finishing and yet there seems to be much to do.

At noon came out Mr. Brooks and Governor Everett who after sitting a little while walked up to see the House. The former appeared very well satisfied with it. I was glad of it as I had feared he might think it extravagant. The expense of it is certainly very much out of proportion with it’s dimensions. And yet I do not see where I have been wrong.

Mr. Brooks went in my Gig to Mr. Quincy’s, and Governor Everett remained until three when he, my father and I went in Mr. Brooks’ barouche to the same place. The company consisted of the Trustees of the Agricultural Society together with a few friends, Mr. Henry, I. P. Davis, and one or two more. It was rather dull and I was glad to get home—and pass a quiet evening. This week has been a very turbulent one, well enough now and then for variety, but by no means to my taste as a manner of living.

Morning clear but windy and cool. I passed some time in looking over parts of Thucydides in order to see how much I should remember of it for tomorrow. I found that passages were familiar to me—others, I did not remember.

Attended divine service and heard Mr. Lunt preach, in the morning from Matthew 17. 1.2. “And after six days, Jesus taketh Peter, James 276and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them:” and afternoon, John 7. 46. “The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.” Two very good discourses upon the nature and acts of the Saviour but which I did not listen to as attentively as I ought.

Afternoon, read a discourse of Sterne which I think about the best that I have yet read. 2 Kings 20. 15. “And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, all the things that are in my house have they seen; there is nothing amongst all my treasures that I have not shown them.” The case of Hezekiah and the Messengers. He seems to think his punishment followed upon a manifestation of his pride and vanity through a veil of courtesy, and proceeds to analyze the frequent causes of motives of the fairest actions. A familiar topic as are most of his but very neatly illustrated. Evening at home. Retired early.