As I passed through Hyde Park on my way to Kensington Gore, I observed that great crowds had gathered, and rumors were rife that the allied armies had entered Paris, that Napoleon was a prisoner, and that the war was virtually at an end; and it was momentarily expected that the park guns would announce the good news to the people.
"On entering the drawing-room at Mr.Wilberforce's I found the company, consisting of Mr.Thornton [his memory must have played him false in this particular as Mr.Thornton died some time before], Mr.Macaulay, Mr.
Grant, the father, and his two sons Robert and Charles, and Robert Owen of Lanark, in quite excited conversation respecting the rumors that prevailed.

Mr.Wilberforce expatiated largely on the prospects of a universal peace in consequence of the probable overthrow of Napoleon, whom naturally he considered the great disturber of the nations.

At every period, however, he exclaimed: 'It is too good to be true, it cannot be true.' He was altogether skeptical in regard to the rumors.
"The general subject, however, was the absorbing topic at the dinner-table.

After dinner the company joined the ladies in the drawing-room.

I sat near a window which looked put in the direction of the distant park.