The news that came today of the possession of Nashville a struggle and of an advance of Banks’s column seems to encourage us in the idea that the war approaches an end. The public papers of Mr Davis indicate discouragement but not despair. I was busy writing my private letters today, especially one long one to my son John. Some letters to Consuls as a matter of course. This department of my business continues quite full, but I am myself gradually growing more used to it. I got through rather50 sooner than usual, and took a long walk. We had MrRawle to dine and Mr and Mrs Parkes, who staid until quite late.