Quiet day. The news by the Africa is again favorable. The chances for the termination of the war improve. It likewise turns out that Mr Morgan declines the appointment to the Treasury. This upsets Mr Weed’s scheme of yesterday. Had visits from Sir Charles Lyell and Lord Stratford de Redcliffe. Walk by the Way of Hyde Park. Dined with Mr W. E. Forster to meet the members of his commission on schools for the middle classes. Lord Stanley, Lords Littleton and Taunton, Dr Temple, Mr Stover and two or three other person whose names I did not catch. I was asked a great variety of questions, and went into a very extended exposition of the school system of Massachusetts and New England. This seemed to give them much satisfaction. Returned home before eleven. Found there a note from Lord Russell to say that Sir Frederick Bruce had been appointed to succeed Lord Lyons.