The morning promised a cold North easter and I went into town with a little drizzle in my face. My time was much taken up during the time I remained in matters of account. But at eleven o’clock I got into an Omnibus to go to Cambridge.

This was the day upon which the Anniversary of the founding of the 89University two Centuries ago was celebrated. The purpose was to be accomplished by an Address from the President Mr. Quincy in the Meeting House and a great public dinner of the Alumni. But in the course of getting up, it appeared to me there was a mixture of party feeling excessively repugnant to me upon such an occasion. The Committee which was chosen to make the arrangements at a meeting or meetings of the graduates of which I knew neither the time nor the nature, certainly seems to represent the highest toned federal Whiggism. Beginning in 1783 with Harrison Gray Otis then leaping over several classes and catching up with William Sullivan, the list bears the names of almost all the high toned and obnoxious politicians of the day.1 This is what by no means recommends the College and it’s Anniversary to my feelings and upon seeing the list I made up my mind to avoid the dinner part at least. I thought it however respectful to Mr. Quincy to go out and make my appearance as one of his listeners. The town was full of people gazing about. I went to the tent prepared for the dinner which was very neat indeed. They get up these things very well here. Then round the Colleges in which preparations were made for illumination, and to the Meeting house which was not overcrowded. I remained about three quarters of an hour while Mr. Quincy was speaking. His Address seemed to be historical and rather instructive though dry. It was not attractive enough to keep me who relish no such scenes so I walked back to Boston perfectly satisfied from all I saw that the University has entirely lost her hold upon the feeling of the State and is doing worse than nothing in the way to regain it. I am sorry not so much on my own account for little is there of gratification to me in her reminiscences but because my father and grandfather felt otherwise.

I reached town before two and Quincy before three. Afternoon, walk to Colburn’s ledge where they were hard at work. The Stone turns out very good. He had a block sixteen feet long which deserved to be called a post, for some public building but he was cutting it up. Home. Quiet evening.

A summer’s day with the wind at west and a lovely breeze. The changes which take place every twenty four hours are astonishing. I 90remained quietly at home all day and was occupied very steadily. Read Livy in the twenty seventh book, the account of the most gloomy period of the Punic War for the Romans after the death of Marcellus and when the two Carthaginian armies were in Italy. I also wrote an article being the fourth to the unpledged voters. The third is not published as yet and I strongly suspect does not very well suit the taste of the Editor. I feel somewhat of a desire soon to withdraw myself from the unprofitable contest of politics. But before I do it, my desire is to put upon record my opinions exactly as I hold them. My course during the time that I have attempted to lead the sentiment of the people through the Newspapers, has been one of a decided and yet a moderate nature. And while unwilling to identify myself with the excesses of Mr. Hallett, I have tried my best to prostrate his opponents. How much remains to be done, time must show.

Afternoon busy in assorting the MS papers in which I made a little progress. This must be more assiduously followed up. The ladies took tea at Mrs. T. B. Adams, and my father and I walked up in the evening. We found there Mrs. Foster with Mr. and Mrs. Boyd. The weather changed suddenly again and we had rain with a very dark walk home.