The absence of Despatches to answer made my work pretty light today. Yet there are always more or less of matters to be disposed of, and in that process enough was written to consume a good part of the morning. I did however save a little time for my numismatics. Walk afterward paying visits to Mrs Parkes, whom I did not find at home, and Mr Walsh who was. He has come through from China, by the overland route. He found in Russia the cold extreme. here it continues to freeze every morning. Dined with Lord and Lady Cranworth. The Duke and Duchess of Argyll, Sir Charles and Lady Lyell, Colonel & Lady Jane Dundas, Professor arm Mr Lubbock, Miss Dence, the french lady. A pleasant party. I esteem these people very highly. From thence to a great ball at the French Ambassador’s. The Prince and Princess of Wales there and the Cambridges. Very handsome, but the rooms were crowded and uncomfortable, and I was glad to get away at midnight.