The long expected Steamer was reported today, but as my Despatches will not get here until tomorrow, it throws my work back in the week, and leaves me little to do. I had only one or two notes left unanswered, and then read an article in the Edinburgh Review on Gertz. Just as I was in the middle of it the Prince de Joinville was announced. I had had it in my mind to go out to see him at Claremont. He is tall and thin and pale. He is also quite deaf, so that I had to sit quite close to him to converse. He talked much of America and of his visit, of the campaign on the James River and of the causes of McClellan’s defeat, which he evidently attributed to the jealousy of Mr Chase, and the enmity of Stanton. He said some kind words to me personally, adn expressed his continued interest in the cause. After this I went out and took a walk. Dined with Mrs Adams at Mr Arthur Kinnairds. Sir Charles Wood, Sir Roundell and Lady Palmer, Sir James Hope, Mr and Mrs Baring Young, and other whom I did not know. Not very lively. There was a reception afterwards. Many persons presented to me whom I talked with.281