This was no holiday to me. The morning opened with news of more depredations committed on our commerce by the Oreto. This in addition to the task of examining the decisions of our own Courts referred to in Lord Russell’s Despatch received last evening, made me matter for grave reflection. Then came a Mr Arthur, a Wesleyan Clergyman before known to me, to make a representation about an abuse of power committed by one of the Consular Agents in connection with a commander in the Navy, at the Figi islands a few years ago. I asked him to leave the evidence, and I would read and submit it if I found it sufficient, to the consideration of the government at Washington. I then went to the city to settle my Quarterly account at Messr Baring’s. I found only two of the members there. Messrs Edward Baring and Young. This is the holy week, and not much business is doing. I got home in a short time, by virtue of the Metropolitan railway which is certainly a great convenience. I had another note to address to Lord Russell, with Mr Yonge’s deposition. A visit from Mr Branson, and Mr Steruson the commercial agent at Sheffield, about the prosecution for the forgery of the notes of the United States. The Secretary of the Treasury has left me very much at loose ends in the business, furnishing me with no money to defray the expense, but as Mr Branson said that the conviction was in the highest degree probable, I decided to authorize him to proceed. Thus passed the day, except a long walk with my boy Brooks who has come home for the Easter holidays. His conversation shows him to be profiting by his education. In the evening I began to read Mr Kinglake’s book on the Crimea to the family. Mr Forbes came in to spend an hour with us.