Fine day. A visit from Mr Alfred Brett, who came to talk about a steamer to be sold, which might be of use to the government. His position gives him means of information as to the movements of these vessels here which is valuable. I told him that I had no authority, but that I would put him in communication with Mr Wainwright who had some views on the subject. I drove down to the Foreign office, and saw Mr Hammond. I spoke to him of the desire of the Mexican Secretary, M. Oseguera, to know if Lord Russell would consent to see any informal agent of the Juarez Government, and explained my agency in it simply as one of a friendly character to both parties. Mr Hammond said he would mention the matter to His Lordship who would probably be down soon, though not permanently until the middle of the month. From thence I took a walk to the city with the intent248 to get a draft cashed which I had received fro the benefit of a young man in the army, but I was too late. My walk was a very pleasant one however. I got home before six o’ clock when we dined, Mrs Crowninshield and her daughter Cara dined with us. After which I went with the two girls and Henry to the Haymarket to see Mr Booth play in the Merchant of Venice. It was a pretty fair performance, at times quite good. But I recollected Mr Rean’s too well not to see how different the conception of the part was. Mrs Young played Portia very well. It was not overdone. The rest of the characters were not above fair. Two after pieces followed. Box and Cox, which is amusing, though very thin in the conception. And Turning the tables, which I saw much better done in Boston. The comic talent was not so good as I expected. Home before midnight.