Warm. Davis came down according to agreement after breakfast and we went in the carriage with my father to the Capitol. But the debate being rather dull, we drove to the race ground to see the humours of that scene so novel to a New England man like him. The race itself was a failure, although run for very high stakes, but the characteristics of the people were to be perceived very easily. And what a marked contrast to the Yankee. Who that observes it can fail to see the causes of our National dissensions.

Home walking. Davis came to dinner, and Mr. Fry in afterwards.1 Political conversation. The condition of the Administration, its duties and its errors.

Evening with my father to the ball at the French minister’s, Mr. E. de Pontois. A very crowded affair, but ten years have changed the face of society here. I found very few whom I knew. And the general aspect of society was altered as I thought for the worse, but this may be only in my imagination. Home early before supper.