Busy in preparing forms of Despatches for the week, and in bringing up my private accounts for the past month. The man Charles Light came in to see me at my appointment, and I questioned him sufficiently to make him confess all the various offences which his papers had exposed, after which I dismissed him with a warming that justice might be hanging over his head. I had a visit from Mr Bille, the Danish Minister, who came to say that war seemed imminent between his country and Germany and that under those circumstances his masters was desirous, if possible, of procuring the two iron clad steamers preparing for the rebels by Mr Laird, could they be obtained. The answer of Mr Laird had been rather conditional upon the chance of changing the decision of this Government to retain them. Whenever I could let him know that this was fixed, he should renew his proposal. I said that I would do my best, so soon as Lord Russell should come to town, to find out the animus of the government. If it would speak firmly, I promised to let him know. Col Harrison Ritchie and his Wife dined with us, and spent the evening.473