that Rogers ruled the Colonial Office: that was my own impression, and Sir George Grey said so in the strongest terms. But I am perfectly certain there is nothing of the sort. It is the universal statement at the Clubs and in political circles that granville and Gladstone and Lowe are the Cabinet: and you may be perfectly certain that he acts in this New Zealand question on his his own hook. Every one concedes to him the greatest astuteness and dexterity: and men like Sir Gore Browne who have the entree of the Clubs tell us how much influence he really exercises. We must dismiss the idea that any one but himself is master in Downing Street. At the same time it is quite certain that if we had had the authority to spend money on entertainments we might have done a good turn. We have been asked out to a great many houses; but I am now refusing every invitation, simply because I cant return the hospitalities that are offered. One cant go on dining with people without dining them in their turn, and of course to do so at one's own expense is impossible: but it is a pity, for you may remember Napoleon's advice to his Ambassadors was always "Tenez bonne table et soignez les femmes," and if we could have done so our embassy might have been less of a failure. Nevertheless, it may be said with certainty that the ministers had absolutely made up their minds before we ever came here, and that (considering what Ld Granville really is) we never had much of a chance. The Government cannot be operated upon politically in any way. Not only have their measures been carried by enormous majorities, but they really deserve success. The Irish Land Bill, the Peace Preservation Bill which they had a majority of 400 upon, the Education Bill, --- everything almost that they have brought forward has been received with unanimous support: and in addition to this