Clouds and fog making out streets. It was difficult to see to unite, but I was busily employed in disposing of arrears of correspondence. I also finished my note to Lord Russell. The only doubt was as to the genuine character of the paper called the report of Mr Mallory of the naval operations of the rebels. As this makes the true basis of the representation it is somewhat essential that it should not be spurious. Visits from Mr Dudley who had with him a gentleman, whose name I did not catch. He is here on some negotiations for American rail ways. Colonel Ritchie also came in and read a form of a letter to Messr Baring, to explain the nature of the object for which the loan might be wanted. I thought it very good and promised to confirm it. Mr Milner Gibson and here also. He is about to make his annual speech to his constituents as Ashton under Lyne, and as usual he was hungry documents, relating to America. I promised to look him up what I could. Early dinner to accommodate Brooks who went to the Theatre. Walk around the outer line of the Regent’s Park. In the evening, busy making up the long record in this Diary of the conversation of Tuesday. This I propose to have transcribed and to send it to Washington.