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Doubts whether the composition of either the Legislative or Executive body in India is altogether satisfactory. Many believe that a Council for executive purposes can never be so efficiently composed as of those who are actually carrying on the executive work. Discusses this at some length. But the change would be revolutionary and has not been sufficiently discussed in public; Stanley does not know whether to fill up the vacancies or not. A Council in London will discuss the point. Frere seems by far the fittest candidate. Mr Wilson is the fittest financial adviser who could be induced to go out but the feeling against him and his political position make it difficult to select him. The Legislative Council has hardly lasted long enough to have a fair trial, although it has faults, it is expensive, it tends to centralise, its debates do not show a high order of ability and it is not representative in any true sense of the word. Yet it may form a nucleus for more really representative institutions than can now exist in India. A Commission will be appointed to investigate the sanitary causes of mortality among European troops, under Sidney Herbert. Some progress is being made in the military reorganisation, the principle of a European local force is conceded but the question of authority is still disputed. Sir Charles Trevelyan is very busy in Madras, his zeal is great and Stanley hopes and believes that his discretion will be found to equal it. There is a vacancy unfilled on the Home Council. Private.