A fine, spring day. I went out early for the purpose of looking up houses. Called to examine one in Hyde Park Square and one in Sussex Square. The situation is fine and airy, but they fail in the requisite amount of accommodation. The modern edifices are smaller and less convenient than the old ones. I found one in Mansfield Street much more to my purpose. I must decline Mr Sturgis’s kind offer as much too high. Most of my remaining time taken up with the newspapers which bring details. Towards evening a later telegram announced a message President Lincoln on the slave question, which is the greatest step yet made in the struggle. Its effect in Europe will probably be even more extensive than in America. Late in the evening, the Despatches came and private letters. On the whole the substance was more interesting than at any time. The struggle is now attaining a degree of gravity and solemnity which makes it historically imposing. The follies and petty defects that characterized it’s commencement have disappeared, and there is a stern earnestness in the movement, which must, I think, ultimately give it success. The close even scarcely be far off, unless there proves to be more of genius in the slaveholding ranks than I give them credit for. We shall now await with great anxiety the accounts of the final movements on the Potomac.53