There is always something slightly disagreeable in moving from place to place, an alteration of habits and a missing of usual occupations. But what I feel more in my change is that I come to a place which is almost a void to my imagination.

I went to the Office and was very busy in getting through some of the work which has begun to load my hands. Filed papers and arranged my books. At one o’clock I started for Quincy which I reached to dinner. Found my Mother better, and the Dr. gives encouraging accounts. After dinner I went up the hill and also round to see the progress of the work at last commenced upon the barns. Then in to revise my Lecture.

After tea I went to the hall, this being the evening fixed for a continuation. The room was much more filled than on the preceding evening. I was about as long in my delivery of this as in reading it, and I think a shade less successful, so that my judgment was perhaps after all more correct than that of the ladies. Yet on the whole I have great cause to congratulate myself upon the result.1 My principle of action is to do my best without forcing myself into situations without credit, which might yet make me more notorious.

Returned home in company with Price Greenleaf who told me I was quite popular and that there was much talk of electing me to the General Court notwithstanding the question of my eligibility. I have heard of this from other sources, and feel gratified by the good will mani-338fested in it although the obstacle will probably prove a barrier to its resulting in any thing. Evening quiet with the ladies. I read a good deal of the Siberian Voyages.

Fine day. I was engaged in various little matters proper to be arranged before departure and after hearing from Dr. Holbrook a report still favorable of my Mother’s. I returned to town in time for attending to some business before dinner. Nothing however of moment and I went home.

My first object must now be to project some regular system of occupation similar to that pursued in former winters, and if possible to resume the thread of my project of the Summer.

Afternoon principally taken up in copying up Letters in my Letter book and in bringing up my Arrears of Diary which have been somewhat swelling of late. I took it into my head to copy also a Draft of an old Memorial which was my first introduction to the knowledge of Mr. Hallet and his ambiguities.1

A fine clear day. I went to the Office and kept steadily at work rubbing off the accumulation of the last few weeks. I got my files pretty well settled today, but although I make frequent calls all round respecting Mr. Johnson’s affairs, as yet there has been no progress.

At one o’clock I went to Quincy taking up at Mrs. Frothingham’s my Wife and daughter to go with me. We were expected to dinner and found my Mother still improving. The Dr. today discontinued his visits. I passed the afternoon partly in a visit to my house, and round the premises, partly in sitting in my Mother’s room. Evening, read and was much struck with Robertson’s History of Ancient India,1 a sketch of much power.