The newspapers and my mail occupied much of my morning. The dimensions of the story of the gunboats are quite reduced, and the general impression is of a regular and steady advance. It is evident the story and General Halleck is made up here. Several persons came in and my morning vanished without my doing much. At two I started in company with Mrs Adams and Brook to go and pay a visit to the Duke d’Aurnale at Twickenham. We took Brooks in order to leave him at school. The day was very sultry. We found the Duchess at home, but the Duke did not receive me as he was suffering from a fall. She was not easy or attractive but she seemed anxious to be civil. The place is very pretty and inside of the house are many pictures and choice things. This is royalty in abeyance. The Orleans family are waiting for their turn again, in France.115 The indications are not altogether unfavorable, but much time must yet elapse. We got home at five. After dinner Mrs Adams had her weekly reception. It was much the most numerously attended, and the most purely American of all. They staid until nearly midnight.