Light clouds kept scattering flurries of snow about the land all day, so that the aspect of the city was more wintery than I have ever seen it. Since Charles’s arrival on this side my labor of private correspondence is reduced much. But today there were several applications remaining unanswered from America which gave me enough to do. One or two visits likewise absorbed a part of my time. We, that is, all but Henry who declined, dined with Mr and Mrs Morgan. The company consisted of Justice Byles of the common pleas, Mr and Mrs Sturgis, Captain and Mrs Tinker, Mr Ehringer, Mr Ginnel, Mr Evarts. There were two guests, at the House, Mr and Mrs F. Peabody, to whom the dinner was given. It was an elegant entertainment as is always the case here. But I am never comfortable about it for Mr Morgan so frequently reports to me annoying things that I have got to regard him as a bird of evil omen. He began by announcing the panic at Bull run. Afterwards he had a story about the taking of the Vanderbilt. To night it was a report that the Emperor Napoleon was about to recognize. He may be legal; but he is not beyond lukewarm. We went from here to Lord Russells, which was quite full, with heavy acquaintances. Thence to Lord de Grey’s, where was also a crowd. It seemed to me as if I knew almost every one. Arthur Kinnaird intimated to me to night that French cooperation in the Danish matters had been restored.577