The day set apart for Fast. On my going out I was struck with the difference of the spectacle on the common from any thing I recollect to have seen in former years. Usually the grass has been showing signs of verdure, and the people have appeared actively engaged in games of ball. Perhaps the prettiest sight to my eye of the whole year. Now it was one sheet of snow marked by the existence of no being except the few who were crossing in the narrow footpaths beat down by a roller. I left my house a111 little before church time in order to pay a visit to Mr William Appleton, who had written me a very kind note requesting me to call and see him prior to his proposed visit to South Carolina. I found him sitting in his front parlor looking rather like a shadow than a man. He said he was going South by the advice of his Physicians, who though his lungs a little touched, and that every exposure to the air here aggravated the evil. He had been in this condition ever since his return form Washington in the winter. He said he should see some of the seceding leaders in Carolina and endeavor to persuade them of the folly of their tariff policy, as well as of the propriety in any event of keeping the duties uniform every where. I nodded assent, not being desirous of going into that question. He expressed great doubt of his ability to go to Washington next winter, in which I mentally concurred. He looks to me as if he would not reach that time on this earth. I took leave of him kindly, and then walked down to Church. But finding Chauncey place shut up, I turned down to go into Dr Robbin’s, but inadvertently went into the next door where I was ushered into the Chapel occupied by Dr Huntington, in his new capacity of an Episcopalian clergyman. He simply read the common prayers and a couple of hymns. No discourse. I then went home. Found R H Dana Jr there and had an hour’s conversation on political matters Dr Frothingham then came in, and after he left Dr Palfrey came to dine with us. He was on his way to Washington. I suggested some points about the organization of his Office, growing out of the experience of yesterday. He promised to think of them. He went off to the railway at five. Evening at home. I had a visit from old President Quincy to see Mrs Adams, and his son Josiah, today. He walked over which was quiet a feat in his ninetieth year.e