Cloudy, wet day. Mr Field came in to ask about his telegraph. I had no news for him. Later in the day I received from Lord Russell an answer that puts an end to the matter at present. We received the mail bags from America, which brought one the news of the birth of a grandson on the 23d of last month, safe and well. God be praised for all his mercies. So commences the ninth generation of the race in America. May be bear his cross with courage. At the same time my son wrote me of a conflagration which has totally destroyed my two stares on the Eastern Avenue. This is the first serious loss of property I have experienced in my life. In these days of civil convulsion we must be resigned to change. Much absorbed in the newspapers which are greatly elated by the successes. I trust they may not be so rapid as to destroy the value of the struggle. Mr Parkes here before dinner. He has been ill. Quiet evening. The Contemporaine grows very tiresome.48