Morning clear and cool. I went to the House with a view to meet the surveyor1 who was coming out to measure the work. He came and was occupied all day. The house was this day vacated by all but the painters who are now going over all the inside work. I went over it and regarded it on the whole as what I wished, though I should have been as well satisfied with less. The road is also going on slowly.

Home but unable to fix upon anything, tried to write but failed. Afternoon, partially wasted. Read however some of Humboldt and with the children in the evening playing Loto. Miss Beale and Miss Wales came in and had been setting half an hour when I perceived through the window a light which spread gradually until it looked like a conflagration. On going out, I perceived it was from the shavings piled up by me in the valley west of my house, to which some mischief loving person had applied a match. I felt uneasy and went up the hill to watch its progress. Many town people attracted by the light. The conjecture appeared to be that somebody had caused this with a view to break up an abolition lecture to be delivered by Mr. May. I did not hear whether it succeeded.

There was a Convention of Representatives of towns in the 12th Congressional District, here today approving of my father’s course. I did not attend it. Home by eleven and all going out.

I went to town this morning, accompanied by my father. Engaged in accounts and devising means for payment of my various bills. Called upon Carey and paid him thus getting rid of that. Mr. Walsh came in and we talked. I have not seen him for some time and am struck with his talk as sensible. Called upon Mr. Brooks and had a little conversation with him.

Mr. Russel Freeman came and embarrassed me much with his talk about his Office of Collector of New Bedford.1 This is a species of monomania in him particularly troublesome when one reflects as is my case that he has not the remotest prospect of success. His particular object with me seemed to be, to know whether Mr. Hallett was in pursuit of the Office for himself, and if so whether it would be expedient for him to send in a letter of Mr. Hallett’s written to him last winter, 302appearing to favor his cause, as one of his recommendations. I replied by stating my present relations with Mr. H. and consequent disposition not to meddle in his concerns.

Dined at Mr. Frothingham’s. A small company consisting of Governor Everett and his Wife, Sidney Brooks, &do. Mr. Brooks, Mr. Stetson and Mr. Hedge, my father and myself. Talk of animal magnetism in which Mr. Hedge is a believer having been to Providence where wonders are performing through the agency of a blind old woman. A nine day’s wonder.

Home at five. At the house for a moment to see the surveyor, who is not yet finished. Evening, Loto with the children, the ladies having gone to town for the Afternoon.