The time much absorbed in reading letters and newspapers from America. The tone is good. But Charles having received his promotion to a Lieutenantcy is ordered off with his regiment to Annapolis. I much fear he has thrown himself away. With abilities and character much above the average he lacks continuity of purpose, which is shown in his beginning on an object vigorously and becoming discouraged if not soon successful. He has now taken to an occupation for which he has little fitness, simply from his family pride. But none of his predecessors have been soldiers, Why should he? Mr Dana has written me a long on the law of prize, imagining that the negotiation will be transfered to this place. Mr Seward has not yet signified to me even the policy of the government. His despatches do not date beyond the arrival of the Europa. I drew to the replies for the week, which are quite brief, as the pending business has been all disposed of. Henry came down from Walton this evening. I read a little of Lord Malmesbury.2