Morning, a promise of a very hot day which it was. I accompanied the children to school, and from thence to Mrs. Adams’ for the pur-72pose of settling the quarterly accounts with her and Elizabeth as usual. This took up an hour after which I returned and devoted the remainder of the time until dinner to my copying process, which goes on slowly notwithstanding. I wish to fill up this lacuna or I would not undertake so much of this drudgery.

Afternoon rode to Squantum to attend the annual meeting of the Proprietors of Neponset Bridge. Present, the usual company with the addition of Mr. J. H. Foster, and the exception of Mr. Whitney. I sat between Dr. Frothingham and Mr. Foster. The day was very lovely and Squantum appeared to great advantage. The dinner was much as usual and I returned at six very well pleased with my day.

Evening for the first time warm enough to sit upon the Portico in front of the House. The scene has been remarkably lovely today. Indeed as much like enchantment as possible. As I look upon it, I can describe to no one my feelings nor ask sympathy, for the effect is upon my whole mind, lighting it with sunny rays.

A very hot day. This is a Summer such as we have not had for several seasons. I went down to the old Mansion for the sake of trying a horse offered for sale, and of making some selections of books. This took up time I had proposed to devote to copying.

Home where I had hardly become seated before the bell rung and I concluded to go to the Meeting House to hear Mr. Lunt deliver the Address to the schools. This is an interesting mode of celebrating the National Anniversary. The schools of both sexes made a handsome display and the citizens of the town, probably most of the parents occupied the remainder of the House.

Mr. Lunt opened by an eloquent exordium alluding to the propriety of learning the true principles of liberty here in the very spot where two of the men of that day who signed the first great declaration of them, were baptized.1 He then went into a discussion of the moral in connection with the political system, and the introduction of this now for the first time into the decision of political questions. He glanced at the present dangers of our system for the purpose of insisting upon the necessity of moral education, concluding with a brief allegory addressed to the children. The Address was not all of equal merit, passages of it were eloquent, and others well thought out but others were feeble and inconclusive. On the whole however, it deserved a better audience than it had and was delivered with a degree of animation un-73common for him. After some other brief ceremonies the parties retired as they came.

I went home and found there T. K. Davis come to spend the day. Talk of many things, but he has taken of late to ultra opinions which I admire very little and his manners are less pleasing every hour. I regret this much on his account as it does him injury with others, but experience must teach him as it does us all even like it as we may.

Before he left Col. Quincy and his Wife and sister Anna came, who were followed by Mr. Beale and his daughters, Mr. Angier and his Wife, E. C. Adams and Mr. Price Greenleaf. The evening was warm and we sat until late watching the fireworks in Boston many of which were distinctly visible, and very handsome. To bed but not to sleep for the musquitoes.