A light fall of snow which did not disappear during the day, as it did not melt in the shade. Plenty of work bringing up arrears of every kind, but for a wonder no interruptions from visits. Drove in the carriage to make visits, this duty having devolved upon me. Left my name at Marlborough House, for the Prince and Princess of Wales, and at St James’s for the Duchess of Cambridge. Also cards on Lady Waldegrave, Mr and Mrs Reeve and Sir Harry and Lady Verney. The only person when I saw was Mr Barreda, the Peruvian Minister. He has come in the place of Mr Sanz, for the purpose of attempting to get a settlement of the question with Spain. He gave me a sketch of his negotiations with Lord Russell and M Drouyn de l’Hays, sufficiently illustrative of the two characters individually and nationally. The proceeding of Spain was atrocious. Its policy towards Saint Domingo hatched out of the embarrassment of our war, has proved an expensive folly from which they are now retreating with what grace it may. They will be obliged to do likewise with Peru, but probably not before it has involved that poor country in much civil calamity. The third attempt upon America is yet going on. Its failure seems to me inevitable, but th may yet curtail great evils upon us. It is curious how utterly without confidence every body is in the wood of Napoleon. An iron clad ram built by Arman in France originally for the rebels, then negotiated about with Denmark, then offered and treated about with Peru, has at last been carried off by the rebels— Starting from Nantes, she has put in at Cemona to repair damages. On hearing these facts I sent notice to the Niagara at Flushing. Commodore Craven has gone to look after her, and this coming I received news from him of his arrival there. Mr Barreda gave me much information about her, from which I should doubt her seagoing properties. I was much pleased with him. Walk round the Regent’s Park. The air was just sharp, but to me it is bracing and wholesome. I have certainly felt much better of late. In the evening, to Lady Palmerston’s for the first time this season. Made a little compliment to his Lordship for his reply in the commons last night to Sir John Walsh’s bitter assault on us. The first time I could do such a thing to him conscientiously. Found a good many acquaintances. This is the season when these receptions are by far the pleasantest.203