A fine day. The American newspapers came with the details of the reverse at Harrison’s island near Washington. As a considerable body of Massachusetts troops were engaged I felt a deep interest in it. They were sadly cut up, but I paid only a few names which I know, Colonel Baker, the senator from Oregon who commanded the detachment seems to have been the cause of the trouble by disobeying orders and getting himself caught with a large force of the enemy. When will our people learn the art of fighting? Colonel Baker paid the forfeit with his life, but that is no compensation for the loss of hundreds more. I had visits this morning from Paymaster Greenway and Captain Marchand of the Ship James Adger, which has come over here to catch the Nashville. I urged the latter to turn his attention to the Gladiator, which is just going out, but he seemed to me to be wanting in enterprise. He made so many excuses that I felt little confidence in his energy. I fear the Navy is made up of such men, and hence the small results we bring about. I sent him to Mr Morse to get information, and perhaps a little incitement to exertion. The rest of my morning was passed in writing my despatches for the week. They were not very long. I then went out and paid visits in the carriage. First to the Marquis d’Azeglio, the Italian Minister. We talked about the Lord Mayor’s Show on Saturday. He did not go because he had so great an aversion to making any speech. I said I had the same aversion, but I felt myself obliged to this time as it was my first invitation. He said that the Lord Mayor had expressed some disappointment to Lord Russell on a former occasion, at the absence of the Corps Diplomatique, but be made. Unfortunately there were two or three of the number who liked to make them. He then asked me about America and I reciprocated by asking about Italy. He seemed rather gloomy as to the present but hopeful of the result at last. I though I could express the same sentiment. I then took my leave. I called on Mr Thackeray, Mr Love and Mr Peabody, but found neither of them at home. On my return I went273 out and walked around the Regent’s Park. I find I do it in just one hour. Mrs Adams got back just before dinner from Southampton, after seeing her sister sail at one o’clock. In the evening I walked to Thomas’s and sat an hour with Sidney Brooks and his Wife who also returned at the time my Wife did.