Clear and blustering. I attended Divine service with the two children at St George’s church. Afterwards there was a stream of visitors. Mr Joseph Parkes came in to talk about the difficulty, which he esteems very serious. The popular feeling runs strong. The Government here has sent out a messenger to Lord Lyons directing him to demand reparation and a return of the men. The alternative is war. I fear it is inevitable, and I must being to think of what I am to do in such a contingency. Mr Parkes offered me every facility in his own library, for books on the law of nations. Sir W. Gore Ouseley followed him, talking on every subject but the prominent one. Mr Bates came in too. He said he had stopped credits as the risk seemed to be considerable. Mr Thompson Hawkly paid me a visit. He has been a good deal in the society of the confederates, so I was rather cautious in talking to him. I then took a quick walk around the regent’s park, which contributed to change the course of my ideas. We received a telegram from the Persia giving several days later news. It would appear that the act of Captain Wilkes was not done by the authority of the government. An opening is yet left to escape from it. Mr General Ralston paid us a visit in the evening.301