This being my despatch day I was engaged pretty industriously during the morning. But I had less material than at any time since I came here. We have subsided into calm, and I receive the most earnest assurances that all the people are friendly to the government at home. I believe the people who make them are sincere, but I am not so blind as to be unable to see that John Bull is disposed to his customary selfsufficiency and “morgue”, the very first moment that he thinks he can indulge it at the expense of his neighbours. At four I want in the carriage to see Mr Du chaillu’s stuffed specimen of his gorilla, that he shot. There were many persons present. The beast is certainly a formidable one, but I see not much of the talked of similarity to the human race. He is but a strong monkey. I called to see Mr Hergkinson and his Wife, and spent182 half an hour in conversation with them, after which I called to see Sidney Brooks and his Wife, who return to France tomorrow morning. Mrs Adams and I dined with Sir Thomas and Lady Cochrane. Another wholly new company consisting for the most part of Scotch peers. The most interesting of them was Lord Clyde, the hero of India, whom I had not met with before. Lord Belham and his Wife, Lord and Lady Camperdown, Lord Cranston, Lord Randolph, Lady Camerys and some others I did not know. Again a wholly new and strange company. Even of the corps Diplomatique there were three of whom I had seen nothing. M d’Azeglio the Sardinian addressed me, for a wonder, without an introduction. We left here to passed few moments at Mr Gladstone’s reception. Quite a large company, among which I found some acquaintance, and made some. Home at midnight. I saw the comet clearly.