Diary Entries 1864 January 1 January 1864Friday 1stLondonIn my young days this Anniversary used to be an occasion of exhilaration and amusement. Now it bring... 2 January 1864Saturday 2d.LondonCold, frosty morning, but clear. The family all came in from Walton. I wish it was to stay, but ther... 3 January 1864Sunday 3d.LondonQuite a cold day, with a sharp east wind driving the smoke into the west end of the town. I went wit... 4 January 1864Monday 4thLondonAs the steamer is late this week, I find myself more than commonly at leisure. So I attended to my y... 5 January 1864Tuesday 5thAmpthillThe weather is changing to cold with a decided easterly wind and clear sky. Brought up all my work w... 6 January 1864Wednesday 6thAmpthillA sharp frost heralding a brilliant morning. This old house is not well fitted for such weather. To ... 7 January 1864Thursday 7thAmpthillThe cold is quite sharp, and in this ancient house not a little uncomfortable. By some means or othe... 8 January 1864Friday 8thLondonMy cold gave me a rather comfortless night. But I was up in season, and after a breakfast alone star... 9 January 1864Saturday 9thLondonMy cold made me uncomfortable this morning. The news from America is to the end of the year, and is ... 10 January 1864Sunday 10thLondonCold rather relieved, but makes me uncomfortable and irritable. Attended Divine service with Henry a... 11 January 1864Monday 11thLondonA mild, clear pleasant day. Letters and newspapers from America absorbed an hour or two of the morni... 12 January 1864Tuesday 12thLondonUp an hour earlier for the convenience of Mrs Adams and Mary, who were to start at a quarter to ten ... 13 January 1864Wednesday 13thLondonClouds and fog making out streets. It was difficult to see to unite, but I was busily employed in di... 14 January 1864Thursday 14thLondonThick fog, and clouds for most of the day. My time much occupied in preparing my correspondence of t... 15 January 1864Friday 15thLondonContinued fog during the day, calling for lamp or candle light occasionally. Very much occupied writ... 16 January 1864Saturday 16thLondonA rather better day. Indeed the sun made out to conquer a cloud for ten minutes. Busy on the aarrear... 17 January 1864Sunday 17thLondonContinued rain and fog. Attended a chapel in the neighborhood as the weather was by no means favorab... 18 January 1864Monday 18thLondonThe fog was so thick all day, that from time to time I was driven to have recourse to candles. Much ... 19 January 1864Tuesday 19thLondonThe bag came and brought us cheerful news on the whole. Louisa at last writes that she is better and... 20 January 1864Wednesday 20thLondonBusy in making up my Quarterly Account to government, which always gives me a prodigious deal of tro... 21 January 1864Thursday 21stLondonOn the whole a tolerable pleasant day. Not much interrupted, and as a consequence I made out to fini... 22 January 1864Friday 22d.LondonCloudy again Busy in writing my private letters which were limited to my sons. For although I hope C... 23 January 1864Saturday 23d.LondonA very quiet, uninterrupted day, which I devoted almost entirely to finishing up my arrears, not ver... 24 January 1864Sunday 24thLondonA really fine clear day. The bag from America came this morning and brought me letters from both of ... 25 January 1864Monday 25thLondonThe reception of the American newspapers gave me some reading for the morning. They confirm my impre... 26 January 1864Tuesday 26thLondonA very fine day. Finding my business pretty nearly concluded for the time, I devoted the greater par... 27 January 1864Wednesday 27thLondonFine day. The sun begins to shine in cheerfully by the south window at breakfast time. I was very qu... 28 January 1864Thursday 28thLondonVariable day with something of a wind which made me think of the travellers who were to cross the ch... 29 January 1864Friday 29thLondonThe weather is becoming clear and cooler—fine for the season. I had only a single visit from a Mr By... 30 January 1864Saturday 30thLondonFine but cold. I went out first to look up a pew in the Church at the foot of the place, but could f... 31 January 1864Sunday 31stLondonAs the day was fine I went with Brooks to the city and attended Divine service at St Michael’s Wood ... February 1 February 1864Monday 1stLondonThe American mail by the Africa came in this morning and brought letters from John and Charles, not ... 2 February 1864Tuesday 2d.LondonChilly, cloudy day. Attended the second day’s sale of Mr Christmas’s coins. The usual attendance. Th... 3 February 1864Wednesday 3d.LondonI found myself so stiff in my back and loins as to utterly disable me from farther attendance at the... 4 February 1864Thursday 4thLondonVery awkward and clumsy with no little pain in morning. Nevertheless I performed my customary amount... 5 February 1864Friday 5thLondonI had but a single private letter to write home today. Concluding from Louisa’s intelligence that Ch... 6 February 1864Saturday 6thLondonThe Scotia has arrived, but brings me no arrival of my son. I had hoped it so much that I confess th... 7 February 1864Sunday 7thLondonClear, but a light snow falls every night, a symptom of Artic weather. I went to the City to church,... 8 February 1864Monday 8thLondonThe mail brought us newspapers but no letters. It is not often John misses a Steamer but so it happe... 9 February 1864Tuesday 9thLondonA little snow falls every night now, and the days are cold for this climate. It looks more like wint... 10 February 1864Wednesday 10thLondonA cold, smoke fog early, but it afterwards cleared though still freezing. A leisure day which I spen... 11 February 1864Thursday 11thLondonThe regular recurrence of this day’s work brought me fewer Despatches than usual to answer, but stil... 12 February 1864Friday 12.thLondonA change of weather to wet and warm. My work was light and yet it took me much of more successful in... 13 February 1864Saturday 13thLondonThe America newspapers to the 30th Ulto came this morning. I read them very patiently but found less... 14 February 1864Sunday 14thLondonClear and fine. Not having succeeded in finding a Church, I took my son Brooks who was at home this ... 15 February 1864Monday 15thLondonThere being no news of the Canada at breakfast, I began to be a little uneasy about my son. But at o... 16 February 1864Tuesday 16thLondonThe Despatches and newspapers came in the early, and Henry and Charles in the after part of the day.... 17 February 1864Wednesday 17thLondonThe mornings are clear, but the days variable, rainy and uncomfortable. I had my customary quantity ... 18 February 1864Thursday 18thLondonThe weather is now displaying a conflict of the seasons. Sun and clouds, snow and thaw, with bright ... 19 February 1864Friday 19thLondonLight clouds kept scattering flurries of snow about the land all day, so that the aspect of the city... 20 February 1864Saturday 20thLondonThe state of my mind is now somewhat peculiar. With much fewer causes of real anxiety than I have ev... 21 February 1864Sunday 21stLondonI asked Mr Calvert last evening for some tickets of admission to the service at the Temple Church. H... 22 February 1864Monday 22d.LondonCloudy but yet freezing cold. I sat down for the purpose of working very hard, but the interruptions... 23 February 1864Tuesday 23d.LondonLight snow and general appearance of winter. I completed my ordinary work at an early hour, and went... 24 February 1864Wednesday 24thLondonThe north east wind still prevails, making us uncomfortable more than cold. As I wished to go to a c... 25 February 1864Thursday 25thLondonAfter despatching my regular work I went down to attend the sale of coins at Sotheby’s. The assembla... 26 February 1864Friday 26thLondonDark, cheerless weather but growing milder. My work was so well advanced that I got through in seaso... 27 February 1864Saturday 27thLondonWeather warm again. Day spent rather in luxury, in examining and comparing my purchases of coins the... 28 February 1864Sunday 28thLondonRainy morning with streets in the dirtiest condition. I remained at home and occupied myself in maki... 29 February 1864Monday 29thLondonOne of the dark, foggy days which mark this place. There was about a period of fifteen minutes, towa... March 1 March 1864Tuesday March 1stLondonIt was a wettish atmosphere with very muddy streets, but I was obliged to go tot he City to see the ... 2 March 1864Wednesday 2d.LondonA rather better day. Visits from Mr Vesey who came at breakfast. He was directly from Washington, ch... 3 March 1864Thursday 3d.LondonOn examination of the regular line of Despatches to be replied to this week I found that they would ... 4 March 1864Friday 5thLondonBefore I had done breakfast Mr Bowles was here about starting the organization of his plan. They had... 5 March 1864Saturday 5thLondonI forgot to mention in my record of yesterday that in the course of my short walk I called on Mr Bat... 6 March 1864Sunday 6thLondonWe were up a little late this morning, so that I remained at home engaged in writing until afternoon... 7 March 1864Monday 7thLondonThe day was blustering and wet. I was quiet and amused my share of leisure by continuing my labour a... 8 March 1864Tuesday 8thLondonAlternations of snow and rain and sunshine making it uncomfortable out of doors. The letters and new... 9 March 1864Wednesday 9thLondonContinuance of exceedingly disagreeable weather. Prepared some notes to Lord Russell and continued m... 10 March 1864Thursday 10thLondonThe debate in the House of Lords indicates a strong feeling among the aristocracy against the presen... 11 March 1864Friday 11thLondonSome work is despatching private letters, but I got through early on the whole. My sons got back fro... 12 March 1864Saturday 12thLondonA fine, cheerful, clear day. My Diary is apt to fall into arrears now, so that I am obliged to devot... 3 March 1864Sunday 13thLondonA clear morning. Went to Church in the City, with Brooks. We this day took St Botolph’s, Bishopsgate... 14 March 1864Monday 14thLondonThe military news from America is not favorable to our progress, but in other respects is favorable ... 15 March 1864Tuesday 15thLondonNot long after breakfast I went out with my son Charles. My first object was to go to the house of M... 16 March 1864Wednesday 16thLondonI had a brief visit from Mr Bowles, who has returned from Paris apparently for the purpose of trying... 17 March 1864Thursday 17thLondonMany brief Despatches to be written today, and one or two long ones but the whole was accomplished i... 18 March 1864Friday 18thLondonThe days are getting fine though the easterly winds make the air chilly. I was very busy in writing ... 19 March 1864Saturday 19thLondonA clear, fine day. Had a visit from young Mr Shaw Lefevre who came to make some investigations of ou... 20 March 1864Sunday 20thLondonAs it was a fine day I went with my son Brooks into the city to church. My design was to go to St Ca... 21 March 1864Monday 21stLondonMy morning was much interrupted by visits. Dr Black came to talk to me about plans of emigration. Th... 22 March 1864Tuesday 22d.LondonCloudy and chilly east wind. The American mail came and absorbed as much as usual. I did not like th... 23 March 1864Wednesday 23d.LondonMr Moran reminded me that the custom has been to send away the bag when good Friday comes—so that I ... 24 March 1864Thursday 24thLondonThe spring is advancing by slow steps and with a generally chilling air. This morning we had a thick... 25 March 1864Friday 25thLondonGood Friday is observed here very generally. My work for the week having been completed I had a holi... 26 March 1864Saturday 26thLondonA clear morning but it soon clouded and finally rained. My son sails from Liverpool today. I missed ... 27 March 1864Sunday 27thLondonI found myself again suffering from a severe cold in my head. This is the third I have had since Jan... 28 March 1864Monday 28thLondonA gusty, variable, uncomfortable day. Continued my catalogue of numismatic, a pleasant enough way of... 29 March 1864Tuesday 29thLondonAnother day of sunshine, wind, snow and rain clearing off pretty cold. As the Despatch Agent notifie... 30 March 1864Wednesday 30thLondonWeather milder after the fall of snow during the night which covered all the housetops at sunrise. T... 31 March 1864Thursday 31stLondonThe day of routine for the preparation of Despatches. There were none that cost labour, and yet the ... April 1 April 1864Friday April 1.stLondonBlustering winds and sudden showers begin the month. I was occupied in writing private letters home,... 2 April 1864Saturday 2d.LondonRather undisturbed this morning, which gave me a good opportunity to complete my draft of a note on ... 3 April 1864Sunday 3d.LondonThe bag came early after breakfast, and I opened it with interest because I expected a reply to my m... 4 April 1864Monday 4thLondonA charming spring day, being one of very few experienced this season I received the newspapers and l... 5 April 1864Tuesday 5thLondonSteady rain all day with occasional fog so thick as to prevent work. Some work to do in writing repl... 6 April 1864Wednesday 6thLondonIt had been announced a few days ago that the Queen would hold this day what is called a Court, to s... 7 April 1864Thursday 7thLondonThe resignation of the Duke of Newcastle as Colonial Secretary transfers for Mr Cardwell to that Off... 8 April 1864Friday 8thLondonCaptain Winslow seems resolved to make me more work. I find today that he has been publishing a lett... 9 April 1864Saturday 9thLondonA mild, pleasant day. My attention devoted to the arrears of letter writing, which commonly follow o... 10 April 1864Sunday 10thLondonA really fine mild morning, but as with us in America the East wind came in to chill the air by noon... 11 April 1864Monday 11thLondonThe steamers from America are very late. Three of them are overdue. The day was summer like, and the... 12 April 1864Tuesday 12thLondonThe spring is really appearing—but the Steamers are still behind. I succeeded to day in bring up all... 13 April 1864Wednesday 13thLondonClear with a cold East wind. The Arabia has arrived at last, but with little news. I had some leisur... 14 April 1864Thursday 14thLondonClear but with a chilly wind. The American mail came just in season to acknowledge it. Mr Seward sen... 15 April 1864Friday 15thLondonA summer’s morning. Very busy writing my private letters. Obliged to snatch a couple of hours to go ... 16 April 1864Saturday 16thLondonI was left with some accumulation of business with Lord Russell this morning, so I sat down and work... 17 April 1864Sunday 17thLondonA clear, fine spring day. I went to the city and attended service in the Church of St Michael Bassis... 18 April 1864Monday 18.thLondonLovely, spring weather. The Newspapers from America arrived. They did not report as I had hoped the ... 19 April 1864Tuesday. 19thLondonSummer emerges all of a sudden. Finished up my Quarterly account, and sundry small details. Visits f... 20 April 1864Wednesday 20thLondonBeautiful day. It is Hawthorn who remarks that here and there you find a single day of exquisite tem... 21 April 1864Thursday 21stLondonAn easterly wind qualified the atmosphere of yesterday. I was much engaged in my business of prepari... 22 April 1864Friday 22d.LondonLate yesterday Mrs Morse called to invite me to breakfast this morning. Through an Italian instructo... 23 April 1864Saturday 23d.LondonThree hundred years ago this day, William Shakespeare was born. Great efforts have been made to cele... 24 April 1864Sunday 24thLondonClear, with a cool East wind. Morning quiet at home. It appears that yesterday was a very large meet... 25 April 1864Monday 25thLondonAs there was not much to do, I went out to attend a coin sale at Messr Sotheby’s The collection sold... 26 April 1864Tuesday 26thLondonThe air is chilly. Went to the city to transact some business, and walked all the way home, calling ... 27 April 1864Wednesday 27thLondonChilly, raw and uncomfortable. Wrote several letters, and particularly one to Mr Everett. Had a visi... 28 April 1864Thursday 28thLondonStill chilly and unpleasant. My customary duty of writing draughts of Despatches which kept me busy ... 29 April 1864Friday 29thLondonA change to spring again. Read the files of American papers, which are uninteresting since they lose... 30 April 1864Saturday 30thLondonReturning spring. I was engaged in miscellaneous work, disposing of arrears of all kinds. Brought up... May 1 May 1864Sunday 1stLondon On this day, three years from my departure from Boston on this mission, I open another boo... 2 May 1864Monday 2dLondonThe letters and papers came this morning. Nothing from Charles, but John incidentally says that he h... 3 May 1864Tuesday 3d.LondonBreakfasted at Edwards’s Hotel with Mr Evarts, in company with Messr Gibbs, Bright, Cobden, Foster, ... 4 May 1864Wednesday 4thLondonRainy and chilly. Henry informed me that Mr Dayton had arrived at Edwards’s Hotel from Paris last ev... 5 May 1864Thursday 5thLondonMy day for Despatches, but luckily the week was light for once. For I had a steady stream of person ... 6 May 1864Friday 6thLondonI had several visits of persons whom I felt obliged to see, notwithstanding it is my day for writing... 7 May 1864Saturday 7thLondonBusy clearing up arrears until noon, when I got ready to attend the Prince of Wales’s levee. Mr Mora... 8 May 1864Sunday 8thLondonThe day was cold and rainy. I went with my son Brooks to the city to church. We dropped into St Augu... 9 May 1864Monday 9thLondonChilly with clouds and rain. I received my letters and Dispatches. The former being me intelligence ... 10 May 1864Tuesday 10thLondonMy morning much taken up with visits. Mr Dudley reports the issue of the application for the men who... 11 May 1864Wednesday 11thLondonThe usual line of occupation, varied by a visit to the city on business with Messr Baring. I drew so... 12 May 1864Thursday 12thLondonThe topics that spring up now are so numerous that I find myself more busy than ever on this day of ... 13 May 1864Friday 13thLondonAnother day given up to steady writing. A visit from Mr Foster who came to make some last enquiries ... 14 May 1864Saturday 14thLondonReceived this morning a note from Mr Scott Russell to inform me that he had heard from Mr Yeatman. A... 15 May 1864Sunday 15thLondonA summer’s day, with the glass over 70°—rather sultry than hot. I went with Brooks who was in town a... 16 May 1864Monday 16thLondonThe morning brought me a great bundle of Despatches, besides private letters. The most material rela... 17 May 1864Tuesday 17thLondonAnother bright and very warm day. I thought I would take advantage of it to execute one of the exped... 18 May 1864Wednesday 18thLondonReceived a visit this morning from Mr Scott Russell. He had misunderstood Mr Yeatman’s note as I did... 19 May 1864Thursday 19thLondonMy public Despatches for the week are neither numerous nor important. The lull in affairs caused by ... 20 May 1864Friday 20thLondonThe clear sky and heated atmosphere, great for this latitude at this season came to an end this even... 21 May 1864Saturday 21.stLondonCloudy and chilly—rather a refreshing change. My day much broken up. Wrote a note to the Count de Pa... 22 May 1864Sunday 22d.LondonA very fine day. I went accompanied by Henry, to church in the City. This time it was at St Antholin... 23 May 1864Monday 23dLondonThe telegraph brought us this morning the details of which Mr Morgan had sent last night the substan... 24 May 1864Tuesday 24thLondonI had one or two rather long visits. One from a Mr Yarnall who brought me a letter from Mr W. E Fors... 25 May 1864Wednesday 25thLondonWaked up an hour earlier than usual, and thought of the report of last night and of the probabilitie... 26 May 1864Thursday 26thLondonI received a note from the Count de Paris so kindly and earnestly requesting me to reconsider my dec... 27 May 1864Friday 27thLondonThe newspapers brought details of the news we have had, which show our success to have been more bri... 28 May 1864Saturday 28thLondonThough the Scotia was in so early yesterday, I did not get my letters and papers until the latter pa... 29 May 1864Sunday 29thLondonThere was a heavy shower in the morning but it cleared later in the day. Went to the City to Church;... 30 May 1864Monday 30thLondonUp early in order to get off in season to attend the Wedding ceremony of the Count de Paris, which I... 31 May 1864Tuesday 31stLondonThe fatigue of riding sixty miles yesterday, and of standing so much, made me steady quiet a little ... June 1 June 1864Wednesday 1stLondonThe morning broken up by the necessity of making ready to attend the Levee held by the Prince of Wal... 3 June 1864Thursday 3d.LondonThe recurrence of this day of the week brings its average of labor, whether the Despatches from home... 3 June 1864Friday 3d.LondonMy private correspondence kept me engaged nearly all day, but I no longer experience the relief form... 4 June 1864Saturday 4thLondonThe newspapers came from America this morning, and absorbed some time. They give full accounts of th... 5 June 1864Sunday 5thLondonA clear and fine day. I attended Divine service at St Clave’s, Old Jewry. This is one of Wren’s chur... 6 June 1864Monday 6thLondonA lovely day, with not overmuch to do. A visit from Mr Clement Esdaile, who came for the purpose of ... 7 June 1864Tuesday 7thLondonAnother fine, summer’s day. After doing some arrears of letter writing, I had a little leisure which... 8 June 1864Wednesday 8thLondonFine day. Wrote some letters, among others one to Mr Palfrey. After luncheon went to the Exhibition ... 9 June 1864Thursday 9thLondonThe day of recurrence of Despatches to be written, and as usual I find more work than I expected. Al... 10 June 1864Friday 10thLondonReading the last files of American newspapers I am filled with admiration at the amounts of the ener... 11 June 1864Saturday 11thLondonHad a visit from Mr Bright who came with a Mr McKenna, the editor of a paper at Belfast, that has be... 12 June 1864Sunday 12thLondonWent to church in the City at St Andrew’s by the Wardrobe, Blackfriars. This is one of Sir Christoph... 13 June 1864Monday 13.thLondonCloudy until cleared by a very heavy thunder shower. I had a succession of visits, mostly from Ameri... 14 June 1864Tuesday 14thLondonThis was a broken day, as it always the case with those in which we have duties at court. We attende... 15 June 1864Wednesday 15thLondonThe morning papers certain the accounts from America, which instead of being unfavorable, so far as ... 16 June 1864Thursday 16thLondonA rather quiet day devoted to the preparation of Despatches. I likewise had visits from Mr George D ... 17 June 1864Friday 17thLondonWrote my private letters remembering this anniversary, and hopeful that it may again be noted for a ... 18 June 1864Saturday 18thLondonAfter making up the arrears of the week I fixed upon this leisure day to execute a duty perhaps too ... 19 June 1864Sunday 19thLondonTo Church in the City, where I drifted into what proved to be St Botolph’s. Aldersgate. This was not... 20 June 1864Monday 20thLondonThe mail from America brought interesting letters. One from Charles which is very cheering. Although... 21 June 1864Tuesday 21stLondonRather a quiet day. I prepared letters to Captain Winslow to congratulate him upon his success, and ... 22 June 1864Wednesday 22d.LondonThe morning broken up by the necessity of attending the last levee of the season, which was held by ... 23 June 1864Thursday 23.dLondonThe morning newspapers announced that the conference yesterday discovered that nothing come of it. A... 24 June 1864Friday 24thLondonFinished up my private letters rather sooner than common. I have now received from Captain Winslow, ... 25 June 1864Saturday 25thLondonDrew up my note to Lord Russell and then went to the City for the purpose of seeing Mr Morse and dra... 26 June 1864Sunday 26thLondonWent with Brooks who is at home this Sunday to the city to church. It was this time to St Mary, Alde... 27 June 1864Monday 27thLondonThe mail and newspapers came in, which somewhat occupied us. At noon I went down to attend the coin ... 28 June 1864Tuesday 28thLondonAfter despatching a couple of letters to Mr Seward for an extra bag to go today for the Etna, I atte... 29 June 1864Wednesday 29thLondonMade up the details of my correspondence today. The number of notes called for my enquiries of every... 30 June 1864Thursday 30thLondonNot a laborious day. Having sent a couple of Despatches in the middle of the week little was left fo... July 1 July 1864Friday July 1stLondonThe preparation of my Quarterly accounts and of my letters to my sons absorbed my morning, so that I... 2 July 1864Saturday 2d.LondonThe Despatches letters and newspapers came this morning. A telegram from Mr Seward was announced yes... 3 July 1864Sunday 3d.LondonWeather variable, with two or three heavy showers, hail and one clap of thunder. Henry accompanied m... 4 July 1864Monday 4thLondonThe fourth anniversary of this day passed in this country. It finds us yet plunged in difficulties c... 5 July 1864Tuesday 5thLondonA rather quiet morning devoted to the completion of my customary annual settlement of my books. One ... 6 July 1864Wednesday 6thLondonThere is an interval of quiet just now which leaves some time on my hands in the early part of the w... 7 July 1864Thursday 7thLondonQuiet day, devoted in part to my coin catalogue. There were visitors however who absorbed a great de... 8 July 1864Friday 8thLondonThe Scotia was reported this morning, and a telegraph from Mr Kuhn at Queenstown saying that they ha... 9 July 1864Saturday 9thLondonA broken, uncomfortable kind of day. The newspapers and despatches not entirely satisfactory without... 10 July 1864Sunday 10.thLondonA summer’s day. We were quite lively at home with the addition of another member of the family. Loui... 11 July 1864Monday 11thLondonWarmish day. Very quiet at home, with some leisure on my hands which I spent on my Catalogue of coin... 12 July 1864Tuesday 12thLondonQuiet day with so little to do that I made a good deal of progress in my Catalogue of coins. In cons... 13 July 1864Wednesday 13thLondonA very pleasant day. The lull of all business is such that I have too much time to think of my priva... 14 July 1864Thursday 14thLondonThe preparation of my Despatches was not a work of much labour this week. Indeed at present there is... 15 July 1864Friday 15thLondonMy letters were finished early. I had visits from three more of the captured Officers of the Alabama... 16 July 1864Saturday 16thLondonWe had to breakfast this morning Mr and Mrs Cobden, Mr and Mrs J. C Bates, Mr Browning, making it wi... 17 July 1864Sunday 17thLondonJust as I was making ready to go to Church the Despatch bag came and the contents had me busy until ... 18 July 1864Monday 18thLondonA recurrence of a sharp attack of rheumatism like that in January made me very uncomfortable all day... 19 July 1864Tuesday 19thLondonA very sultry day. At an early hour I went to the city to get some money at the house of the Barings... 20 July 1864Wednesday 20thLondonThe heat and draught continues. The effect is to make the grass as brown as it is with us in August,... 21 July 1864Thursday 21.stLondonThe day was cooler, and there was a light shower towards night. My Despatches were not long nor nume... 22 July 1864Friday 22d.LondonThe private letters did not occupy much time. A visit from Captain Britton, who had not much to repo... 23 July 1864Saturday 23d.Norman CourtAnother warm day. Busy in finishing up the arrears of correspondence which will take place, and goin... 24 July 1864Saturday 24thNorman CourtSultry day, but it is refreshing to look on the quiet beauty of this place far away from the smoke a... 25 July 1864Monday 25thNorman CourtA damp, cloudy day with gentle rain towards night. A portion of our party left us in the morning to ... 26 July 1864Tuesday 26thLondonIn the midst of the luxury of this establishment my nights have been unusually sleepless. They avera... 27 July 1864Wednesday 27thLondonMary was much relieved this morning and improved during the day. But the attach has been serious, an... 28 July 1864Thursday 28thLondonMany continues to improve, but her physician is not yet free from uneasiness. Yet I am thankful to t... 29 July 1864Friday 29thLondonThe physicians report Mary as quite relieved of her alarming symptoms. The arrival of the Despatches... 30 July 1864Saturday 30thLondonFor the fourth time in my mission we now pass from the season of Parliament to that of repose. The a... 31 July 1864Sunday 31stLondonWarm day— The extraordinary drought continues. It threatens to shorten the grain crops, and to destr... August 1 August 1864Monday 1stLondonThe morning brought the Despatches and the letters. When these come together and the newspapers too,... 2 August 1864Tuesday 2d.LondonBusy as possible in disposing of all the work of the week, in advance including the usual letters to... 3 August 1864Wednesday 3d.ChettenhamAs all the members of the family, including the two invalids, proposed this year to start at once, t... 4 August 1864Thursday 4thChettenhamDay sultry. Wrote a letter to Charles, and then walked about to examine the town. First to the Royal... 5 August 1864Friday 5thShrewsburyVery warm day. Before leaving Chettenham I took a walk in another direction, and saw Thirlestaine Ho... 6 August 1864Saturday 6thShrewsbury—LlangollenTook a walk in the morning for the purpose of examining the town. It was Market day and a part of th... 7 August 1864Sunday 7thLlangollenOur hotel adjoins the Church of St Collen, and our sitting room opens on one side to the river Dee, ... 8 August 1864Monday 8thLlangollen—BalaThis morning we leave the railway at Llangollen, and take to posting through the country. We had muc... 9 August 1864Tuesday 9thBala—DolgellyThe day broke with heavy rain, so that the prospect indicated detention in these rather contracted q... 10 August 1864Wednesday 10thDolgellyThe clouds disappeared, gradually giving way to a most beautiful day. I finished my private letters ... 11 August 1864Thursday 11thDolgelly—BedgellertWe left Dolgelly in another very fine day, posting after the usual manner, but with rather a longer ... 12 August 1864Friday 12thBedgellertI was told that there was good bathing in the river. So I went out with Brooks before breakfast to f... 13 August 1864Saturday 13thLlanberisI tried with Brooks to find a better bathing place in vain, so we used to the old one. Shortly after... 14 August 1864Sunday 14thLondonThe boys ascended Snowden early this morning but with no satisfactory result, as the haze obscured t... 15 August 1864Monday 15thLlanberisThe place is so pleasantly situated that the family incline to spend an extra day or two. This morni... 16 August 1864Tuesday 16thLlanberisI wandered in quest of another place for a bath, and after some labor in descending found a very seq... 17 August 1864Wednesday 17thBangor—LondonThe hot weather gave way this morning, so that it was under a cold and sharp mind that I took my las... 18 August 1864Thursday 18thLondonMy companions in the night train were not interesting. The only one who diverted me was a youth load... 19 August 1864Friday 19thLondon—ConwayContinued my labors on my private letters assiduously. And went to Messr Barings in the city to tran... 20 August 1864Saturday 20thConwayAt four o’clock of a brilliant moonlight morning I found myself in the narrow streets of Conway, the... 21 August 1864Sunday 21stConwayThe day being fine I started after breakfast with Brooks, and we walked to Llandudno three miles off... 22 August 1864Monday 22dConway—LlanwrstMr Kuhn arranged for me a little expedition by boat from here to Beaumaris, whilst the family transf... 23 August 1864Tuesday 23dLlanrwst—RhylThe effect of the American Despatches has been rather to depress me as Mr Seward for the first time ... 24 August 1864Wednesday 24thRhylThe change in temperature which began on the last day at Llanberis has been growing more marked unti... 25 August 1864Thursday 25thRhylRhyl is not a resort of fashion. The people whom I met on the back seem to be well to do persons fro... 26 August 1864Friday 26thRhylThe tide permitted a surf bath this morning, but the wind was wrong and I had nothing but a little p... 27 August 1864Saturday 27thRhyl—ChesterAnother bath, equally calm, but the water was deep enough. by changing my position more to the east.... 28 August 1864Sunday 28thChesterThe weather has become warm again, with a southerly wind, and today it rained for two or three hours... 29 August 1864Monday 29thChesterIt looked cloudy and threatening in the morning but cleared off at last very fine. We visited the Ca... 30 August 1864Tuesday 30thChester—LeamingtonWe left Chester this morning, and in about three hours found ourselves placed at the Regent’s Hotel ... 31 August 1864Wednesday 31stLeamingtonThe post brought the American letters. My son John’s is more croaking than usual even for him. He sa... September 1 September 1864Thursday 1stLeamington—LondonUp early on this magnificent morning to take the first train for London. Thus I finish the fourth an... 2 September 1864Friday 2d.LondonSingularly enough both times I have returned here, on the next day I have suffered from a head ache,... 3 September 1864Saturday 3d.LondonA fine clear morning, with a light shower afterwards. I worked again today in preparing the note to ... 4 September 1864Sunday 4thLondonAlthough I forgot it in the record, we did not forget at table yesterday the fact that we had been m... 5 September 1864Monday 5thLondonUsual work answering various letters which keep crowding upon me. A visit from Mr Morse with whom I ... 6 September 1864Tuesday 6.thLondonSultry and cloudy. Continued working on my arrears of private correspondence of which there is appar... 7 September 1864Wednesday 7.thLondonMary is not making favorable progress. We were today made much anxious about her, and Sir Henry Holl... 8 September 1864Thursday 8thLondonMary had a bad, restless night, and gave us all a distressing day. We sent for Sir Henry Holland who... 9 September 1864Friday 9thLondonThe night passed without any recurrence of the trouble, and in the course of the day the medical men... 10 September 1864Saturday 10thLondonMary is now relieved from absolute oppression, and resumes her natural state. But the organs are not... 11 September 1864Sunday 11thLondonMary gains perceptibly, but is left with a cough and no appetite. Cooler day, and a very clear atmos... 12 September 1864Monday 12thLondonMary was up for some hours today, and seemed improving. She will however read much care, and will be... 13 September 1864Tuesday 13thCliftonCloudy and dubious weather. The physicians still report Mary as mending. My time taken up in finishi... 14 September 1864Wednesday 14thCliftonThe morning opened dark and with a boisterous wind driving the clouds fast before it. I walked not b... 15 September 1864Thursday 15thLondonAfter my experience of yesterday I felt myself absolved from all necessity to go farther in acknowle... 16 September 1864Friday 16.thLondonVariable weather, with showers which are rapidly bringing up the verdure. I worked with much assidui... 17 September 1864Saturday 17thLondonWe had today full confirmation of the news of last week from America. General Sherman has completed ... 18 September 1864Sunday 18thLondonA fine day almost without a shower. I went to the city intending to worship at a Church of St Dinis ... 19 September 1864Monday 19thLondonQuiet, pleasant day, without much incident. Mary came downstairs for the first time today. The Physi... 20 September 1864Tuesday 20thLondonRather a day of leisure, and therefore filled up with visits. Mr Evans came in to sound my opinions ... 21 September 1864Wednesday 21stLondonAfter getting through the morning’s work, went with my daughter Louisa to the museum at South Kensin... 22 September 1864Thursday 22d.LondonThe day spent in the customary duty of preparing the week’s Despatches. Not much labor in them, but ... 23 September 1864Friday 23d.LondonMy life is becoming monotonous and eventless. This would be very satisfactory to me if it were not t... 24 September 1864Saturday 24thLondonThe family seem generally suffering with colds, and I have an affection of my left eye which is anno... 25 September 1864Sunday 25thLondonMade another attempt to visit a church of Wren’s designing in the city, and this time I hit upon St ... 26 September 1864Monday 26thLondonMr T. Baring sent me word last evening of the death of Mr Bates, rather suddenly at the last, though... 27 September 1864Tuesday 27thLondonMy eye better, but much inflamed, and rather troublesome. Not a single Despatch this week. The newsp... 28 September 1864Wednesday 28thLondonThe weather is uncommonly fine and the news form America is good. We have great cause to be grateful... 29 September 1864Thursday 29thEalingThis was a day of some bustling and confusion, inasmuch as in addition to the inevitable derangement... 30 September 1864Friday 30thEalingWe were favored in our removal by the weather, and Mary seemed not the worse for it today. I went to... October 1 October 1864Saturday Octr 1.HolwoodThis place looked charmingly, but I could not remain to enjoy it, as it seemed on the whole expedien... 2 October 1864Sunday 2d.HolwoodA clear and cool day. We attended Divine service at a very small church close by the limits of Lord ... 3 October 1864Monday 3d.HolwoodLord Cranworth is now seventy four years old, though he does not look or move like it. He has passed... 4 October 1864Tuesday 4thHolwoodThe weather continues very bright but with a high Easterly wind. I sallied out on a new walk. This t... 5 October 1864Wednesday 5thEalingOur visit at this hospitable mansion terminated this morning. I shall remember it as among the pleas... 6 October 1864Thursday 6thEalingThe clear, cold weather continues. I regret my inability to enjoy it at Ealing, while I can, but cir... 7 October 1864Friday 7thLondonThe news from America again came very good. General Sheridan has had another success in the Valley o... 8 October 1864Saturday 8thEaling—KingstonWe left this morning in some force, as Henry had concluded upon going with us also. This left only M... 9 October 1864Sunday 9thKingstonWe attended Divine service at a little church in the vicinity—a curious remnant of antiquity, a quar... 10 October 1864Monday 10thKingstonLady Belper is a very kind and amiable person who acquits herself most faithfully of the duties of h... 11 October 1864Tuesday 11thKingstonThe news from America continues favorable, and the depreciation of the paper is rapidly diminishing.... 12 October 1864Wednesday 12thKingston. BurleyI was busy writing all the morning, until luncheon and it was time to take our departure from this p... 13 October 1864Thursday 13thBurleyWe have been singularly favored in weather, a most important element in the pleasure of these countr... 14 October 1864Friday 14thBurleyAnother fine autumn day. Mr Forster had arranged for us a trip to visit the place of Lord de Grey, f... 15 October 1864Saturday 15thBurley—EalingA lovely morning as we prepared to take our departure from this place and from the kindest and best ... 16 October 1864Sunday 16.thLondonA mild, pleasant morning. I went out in search of Teryford Abbey where I was told there was service.... 17 October 1864Monday 17thEalingTo town, where I found the usual accumulation of papers and newspapers which always gives me a certa... 18 October 1864Thursday 18thEalingThe pleasant weather continues. I remained quietly at home, making up the arrears of the Diary, whic... 19 October 1864Wednesday 19thEalingA charming day of quiet day at home, without incident. I made up my arrears in this Diary and took a... 20 October 1864Thursday 20thEalingTo town to prepare the usual Despatches of the week. The interest in affairs here has for the time a... 21 October 1864Friday 21stEalingRemained at home writing a letter to my son John, which I took to London with me at noon. The facult... 22 October 1864Saturday 22d.EalingHeavy showers with wind from the southward— Remained very quiet at home, in the small library that b... 23 October 1864Sunday 23d.EalingCloudy and threatening rain. Attended Divine service at Old Ealing church, the same that I used to g... 24 October 1864Monday 24thEalingOne of the most charming days for temperature that I have known in England. As there was no particul... 25 October 1864Tuesday 25thEalingCloudy. Mr Sturgis returned to town in the early train. There being no intelligence of the arrival o... 26 October 1864Wednesday 26thEalingAnother day of quiet, comparable idleness at home. I spent the evening in a discursive examination o... 27 October 1864Thursday 27thEalingA heavy rain in the night and thick to day. Went to town and found the week’s Despatches and letters... 28 October 1864Friday 28thEalingWent to town again, and first to Messr Barings in Bishopgate Street to make the enquiry I had promis... 29 October 1864Saturday 29thEalingCloudy day with mist. At home engaged in analyzing my son John’s last Quarterly account This is alwa... 30 October 1864Sunday 30thEalingCloudy and chilly. Attended Divine service at a dissenting Chapel in the town. It is a new building,... 31 October 1864Monday 31.stEalingWent to London to prepare several notes to Lord Russell on small questions which have been delayed i... November 1 November 1864Tuesday November 1stEalingAt home all day. Read the American newspapers, and especially the report by Judge Holt Judge Advocat... 2 November 1864Wednesday 2d.EalingCool but not unpleasant. At home all the morning, writing letters including a pretty long one to my ... 3 November 1864Thursday 3d.EalingTo London by train. The usual preparation of draughts for Despatches. This was done so soon that I h... 4 November 1864Friday 4thEalingTo London by train. Glass at 32° with a white frost covering all the country. Finished the letters o... 5 November 1864Saturday 5thEalingAt home all day. A large part of my morning absorbed in a file of Charleston newspapers which Mr Wil... 6 November 1864Sunday 6thEalingFine, clear cool morning. Henry accompanied me in attendance on Divine service at Treyford Abbey. Th... 7 November 1864Monday 7thEalingCloudy and cold. The season is setting in rather more sharp than I have experienced it, and my mind ... 8 November 1864Tuesday 8thEalingWe have now reached the critical day of election at home. The crisis of the direct war with the rebe... 9 November 1864Wednesday 9thEalingCold with east wind still prevailing. Remained home for the purpose of preparing the Despatches for ... 10 November 1864Thursday 10thEalingStarted with Mr Moran in the early train for London, and spent the day in steady work upon letters a... 11 November 1864Friday 11thChatworthTo town by rail, whilst Mrs Adams and Mary came in the carriage, arriving at the house in town in th... 12 November 1864Saturday. 12thChatworthDay overcast. I turned my attention first to the company I was with, and found it to consist princip... 13 November 1864Sunday 13thChatworthThe cold east wind which has so long prevailed gave way today, to a driving rain from the southward.... 14 November 1864Monday 14thChatworthA heavy rain in the night brought a partially clear day, so that we were enabled to go out after bre... 15 November 1864Thursday 15.thChatworth—EalingShortly after breakfast we took our leave. During my stay I have been favorably impressed the charac... 16 November 1864Wednesday 16thEalingTo London in the usual train. Found matters somewhat accumulated, and set to work at once to put the... 17 November 1864Thursday 17thEalingRemained at home and was engaged in preparing under instructions another very elaborate note to Lord... 18 November 1864Friday 18.thEalingTo town, where I completed the Despatches and wrote my private letters. Had a visit from Mr and Mrs ... 19 November 1864Saturday 19thEalingQuiet day at home. Weather dark and cheerless. Busy all the daylight in finishing the long draught o... 20 November 1864Sunday 20thEalingChilly, drizzly day. Walked down to Treyford Abbey, and attended the services there. There was still... 21 November 1864Monday 21stEalingOn getting to the house in London by the usual train I heard the intelligence received by the Canada... 22 November 1864Tuesday 22d.EalingRemained at home, writing up arrears and also some lettesr. Took a walk to the railway station at Ac... 23 November 1864Wednesday 23d.EalingTo town, in order to finish the collation of the copy of the note to Lord Russell which I sent to hi... 24 November 1864Thursday 24thEalingThis being the day designated for a general thanksgiving at home, I decided so to observe it in this... 25 November 1864Friday 25thEalingA sharp frost evening all the county with its white coat like snow. The sky was clear for an hour bu... 26 November 1864Saturday 26thEalingThe morning was brilliant, but there were heavy showers before night. At home all day with the excep... 27 November 1864Sunday 27thEalingThis morning it turned out that suppuration had taken place and although Mary was relieved by it, th... 28 November 1864Monday 28thEalingMary seemed to me better, though the inflammation had spread a little lower down in the face. I went... 29 November 1864Tuesday 29thEalingMary’s wound seems to be taking a favorable turn. The swelling has subsided and Dr Cooper who has he... 30 November 1864Wednesday 30thEalingCloudy day ending in a heavy but short rain storm at night. Went to town and called to see Mr Ericks... December 1 December 1864Thursday 1stEalingHaving been notified yesterday that Mr T B. Potter would come today to present a copy of the resolut... 2 December 1864Friday 2d.EalingCold morning with white frost over the whole surface of the country. To town where was mist and smok... 3 December 1864Saturday 3d.EalingMr Erickson the other day incidentally expressed a decided opinion that the health of my daughter Ma... 4 December 1864Sunday 4thEalingRather a gloomy sky, but it did not rain. Attended service at the Congregational Chapel. The service... 5 December 1864Monday 5thEalingTo London where I found the Despatches and private letters by the Africa. The accounts from Charles ... 6 December 1864Tuesday 6thEalingA very quiet day at home. I preserved my customary line of occupations and wrote the larger part of ... 7 December 1864Wednesday 7thLondonMrs Adams went to town leaving only myself and Mary at home. Answered letters in the morning— At Lun... 8 December 1864Thursday 8thEalingMary seemed relieved this morning, and I went to town and reported to Erickson. He said he should co... 9 December 1864Friday 9thEalingA lovely morning with a white mantle of frost over the surface as I left the house to town On my arr... 10 December 1864Saturday 10thEalingDay at home, but after the morning hours wasted away in that comfortless sort of manner which attend... 11 December 1864Sunday 11thEalingOn company with Mr Alward I attended the service at Treyford Abbey. This time we had one of the same... 12 December 1864Monday 12thEalingTo town with Mr Alward, Mary’s wound once more promised fairly. Found at the Legation the Despatches... 13 December 1864Tuesday 13thEalingDull day with fog and rain. At home engaged in writing, and reading the American papers. Also contin... 14 December 1864Wednesday 14thEalingCloudy and dull. At home writing letters, in answer to all sorts of enquiries made of me. Some of th... 15 December 1864Thursday 15thLondonTo Town when I was occupied in the usual way. The Despatches however were neither numerous nor mater... 16 December 1864Friday 16thEalingCold and cloudy. Mr Thompson returned with us to town. I finished up my private letters for the week... 17 December 1864Saturday 17thEalingAt home all day. It was quite cold a light snow was falling for a few hours. Employed myself for the... 18 December 1864Sunday 18thEalingSharp frost with light snow falling until noon. Attended service at Treyford. The same person offici... 19 December 1864Monday 19thEalingAs the Steamer arrived yesterday, I went to town to get my letters and Dispatches. The former brough... 20 December 1864Tuesday 20thEalingThe snow all gone and the day mild. To town where I attended to the work required by the Dispatches.... 21 December 1864Wednesday 21stEalingQuiet day at home. Busy writing private letters home. Walk towards evening. Weather variable and unp... 22 December 1864Thursday 22d.EalingCold and cheerless. I came to London in the carriage at noon in company with Mrs Adams and Mary. The... 23 December 1864Friday 23d.EalingSharp cold again. To town to make up the customary private letters for the bag. Charles writes that ... 24 December 1864Saturday 24thEaling—WaltonThis morning we bid Goodbye to Hanger Hill. Our tarry has been one of pleasure and pain to such an e... 25 December 1864Sunday 25thWaltonThe same cold grey clouds and sharp frosty weather which have prevailed for so many days. This is th... 26 December 1864Monday 26thWaltonAnother cold, grey day. As this had been made a holiday in London I concluded to remain over. Mr Stu... 27 December 1864Tuesday 27thLondonUp early in order to return to town with Mr Sturgis in the morning train. The sky was clear and the ... 28 December 1864Wednesday 28thLondonThe weather is relaxing and the chill of the vacant house is gradually passing off. Mrs Adams came i... 29 December 1864Thursday 29thLondonHenry came in from Walton to remain a couple of days and go back. My time was passed in writing a re... 30 December 1864Friday 30thLondonThe usual work of private letters for home. Only one or two visits. One from Mr Evans who is made an... 31 December 1864Saturday 31stLondonA very quiet day without incident. My time consumed in writing a note or two and in a general survey...