Clear with a boisterous and cold north wind. Time devoted to preparing Despatches of which there were not many. Visit from Mr Bright who came to enquire about the truth of a story that we were about to lay a duty on exports of cotton. I gave him my version of it. We then went into a pretty free conversation upon the state of affairs here, and the singular efforts made by the Times to excite alarm as to American intentions. The statements made me so void of truth that I marvelled at the assurance with which they were put forth. Was this the inspiration of Palmerston. He said it might be intended to force through the Army and Navy estimates. He said that a question would be asked in Parliament today which would furnish an opportunity to set these stories at rest. Perhaps there may be a project of alliance with France to protect Mexico and Canada. A thing so little to the taste of British people, that it would require much panic to carry it down. Of all the phenomena of our struggle, this is the most remarkable. Sir Frederick Bruce came in afterwards. I expressed the hope that he was going out peaceably minded. He answered in the affirmative—said if his instructions had been otherwise, he would not go. I alluded to the course of the Times and the panic here. He seemed disposed to consider that paper as edited only for effect, but he expressed the opinion, that its227 influence was suffering from the blunders it had committed during this war. This is likely to be true, if no effect a successful restoration. On the whole my confidence is increased by his talk. Walk around Hyde Park, and then to dinner at Lord Stratford de Redcliffe’s. Lord Lyons, Lord and Lady Donoughmore, Lady Frances Gordon, Mr Olyphant and one of the Thymes. The twelfth was Mr Lernley, Secretary at St Petersburgh. Afterwards Lord Donoughhmore talked with me a good deal, but avoiding politics. He has been one of the stiffest advocates of the rebels. Olyphant has likewise been a sympathizer. But the former was very easy and genial to me. Perhaps the change of fortune may reconcile them to the decisive. Lord Donoughmore is very plain looking, but he seems intelligent and very well informed. It is a curious circumstance that nearly all the Irish higher class have gone against us, whilst the poor would gladly fight for us against their countrymen. Went home at eleven.