Fine day. To town, back to Medford, dine at Gorham Brooks. Evening at house.

I went to town this morning accompanied by Mr. Brooks. Found upon arriving that the Great Western had arrived and brought news not decisive of any thing. I attended during a great part of the morning a sale of the books of T. Lyman who is going to Europe. I had expected to find a library of much value, but infer from what I saw that he sold only what he considered superfluous. I was under no temptation to buy much, and left the place with a feeling of misspent time.

Mr. Brooks returned with me and we all dined with Gorham and his Wife. He lives in very handsome style with all his luxuries about him.

I left there to take a stroll to the grove which used to be my favorite 293resort in my young days when I was a lover. And never since the death of Mrs. Brooks did the sense of contrast so forcibly present itself.1 Then this house was always full and always regarded as the centre of family union. Now it is secondary to all the rest. This is not the fault of Mr. Brooks senior who feels very evidently the deficiency of his own position, but he is in a manner obliged to submit from a dislike to making any difficulties in his family. And in other respects he is made comfortable enough. Nature however has not changed in the interval though man has, and no one more so than myself. How much of my earthly career has passed and how hope has changed into posession! I pray God, I may become wiser and better. The evening was short and dull.

Cool. To town, thence to Quincy. Afternoon at work. Evening at the Mansion.

I left Medford this morning hardly with unwillingness for my want of my usual occupation and my thoughts made me dull. Mr. Brooks accompanied me in my ride round by the Registry Office at East Cambridge where I was desirous of leaving some deeds, then into town.

At the Office where I made occupation enough. Then to Quincy where I returned to dine. Found every thing much as I left it and the children apparently contented and happy. I dined at the house below and spent the afternoon in working out. The house seemed so still and solitary that I did not greatly relish it. Spent the evening at my father’s. And retired pretty early.

Cloudy and cold morning. Usual occupations. Evening at the Mansion besides meals.

I spent the day very quietly. Tried to continue my Lecture but found myself deficient in clear ideas so I had to go back to the books to study more fully Law’s scheme. This took up most of my morning with a little of Menzel. I dined at my father’s and in the afternoon studied Tacitus, B. 3. s 1–30.

The quiet of the house is very great and strange to say it does not seem to promote my studies. Man is such a creature of habit and the things which he dreads at one time become so necessary to his happiness at another. The noise of children is generally cheerful and excites that variety of sensations which make at once the occupation and the pleasure of life. I did not work so well because I felt more lonely. Evening at my father’s.