Yet Lye was not a sombre soul, given to overmuch piety. Jan. 2, 1823, finds him going to Boston in Breed’s carriage, with three friends, a big event in his career, for he usually walked to Boston, a journey of ten miles or so. In the afternoon Lye and his friends attended the theatre and saw the comedy “Who Wants a Guinea” acted. He makes no criticism of that show. That is unlucky. It would be interesting to know what he thought of the show. He was a keen critic, given to speaking his mind, for, on the day after the laying of the church corner stone he records in his diary that “On searching under the corner stone a quarter of a dollar and one half cent was missing, purloined by some sacrilegious robber.” Lye liked dancing, for he records: “Feb. 3. In the evening attended a public dance at the hotel, under the direction of Mr. Jameson, who is teacher in the school. Much pleased with the performance.” A little later he records that he: “Attended the town meeting. High party spirit is again revived, and has destroyed the good feeling which has for a number of years prevailed in town.” But that spell of bad feeling among townsmen passed, and July 4, 1821, finds Lye recording: “Independence Day was celebrated by the citizens without distinction of party. Oration in the Methodist meeting house by Rev. E. Mudge. Procession by Artillery and Light Infantry. Dinner at hotel. Devoted this day to celebration.” Lye was always ready to do his part in the public service. He mentions his service in the militia several times, and once remarked that he “trained near Rum Rock, in Danvers.” Certainly Lye’s pleasures in life were simple. He had a lot of satisfaction in performing his duties as a citizen and as a neighbor. JOSEPH LYE AS A NEIGHBOR. In a neighborly way Lye did many things, helping to fix fences, to mend boats, to kill pigs, to repair pumps, and to do any of the kind deeds that help a neighbor along the path of life. Two records from his diary show what a kindly neighbor he was: “May 4, 1820. Watched this night with our neighbor, David Farrington, who, it is feared, is approaching the last end.” “Mar. 30, 1823. Watched last night with Thomas Cheever, who is bereft of his senses.” A good and kindly neighbor was Lye, to watch with the sick. THE MEANING OF LIFE TO JOSEPH LYE. The sum of Lye’s view of life is found in this entry in his diary: “Friday, Sept. 2. Carried out a fishing party. Capt. Z. Atwell, S. Smith and six others. On our return off Bass Neck, Capt. Atwell at the helm, going before the wind, the boom jibed over and knocked Matthew Breed Jr. overboard. I jumped into the small boat and picked him up. He was considerable distance astern and quite exhausted, just ready to sink. Thus was I a feeble instrument in God’s hands.”