party last night was quite the reverse. I have not been at one so pleasant for a long time. There were only eight ladies as several were prevented from going by the badness of the night. There were I think about twenty gentlemen. I often wished during the evening that you had been there for I am sure it was a party you would have liked and I would have enjoyed it much more. I was also at a large dinner party at Captain Sharp's on Tuesday last but it was very dull. Mr & Mrs Ross were the only cheerful people there. Mrs Johnstone was there and she is in general very lively but that day I believe she was unwell and she seemed in very low spirits. After tea we danced a little but as none of the gentlemen were dancers it was given up soon. I always have disliked dinner parties and I would have been