The news from America appears to be very favorable. But somehow or other I have lost confidence to such a degree that I dare not congratulate myself upon an uncertainty. If I could believe it, the war would not appear to me much advanced towards its end. I fear we have not yet been sufficiently chastened for our past national offences. At home and devoting my leisure to an examination of my late extensive purchases. They furnish me a fine field for the study, which vastly enlarges my acquaintance with ancient history and geography. Wrote several notes to Lord Russell. I had a visit from Mr Evarts and from a Mr Swift from Pernambuco. The latter entertained me with an account of the doings of the pirate vessels Alabama and Florida on the coast of South America. Went out with Mrs Adams to execute a commission, after which we went with Mary and Mr Baldwin in company to the flower show of the Botanic Society in the Regent’s Park. The assemblage was very large, and the scene was tolerably pretty. The best part of the display was the Rhododendra. Three bands of music. We came away at about six. Dined with Mr and Mrs Baring Young. The company consisted of Sir Stafford and Lady Northcote, Sir Frederick and Lady Smith, Mr and Mrs Merivale, Captain and Mrs Galton, Sir George Young and his brother and perhaps others. We remained until eleven and then too late for Mrs Brown Sequard’s.380