Canton, August 8, 1858. —... The mail which left England the beginning of June brought me a fortnight ago a letter from you, two from Minny, and one from Fanny.... This last mail, however, has brought me nothing, but I see by the Gazette that I am made C.B. I know what pleasure this has given you, and would have liked to receive your congratulations from your own lips. The order must now be purchased, and as I know my sisters would like a trip to Hunt & Roskell for the purpose, I wish you would ask William to give them the necessary sum, and when they have got the order, you must keep it for me till my return. I have ever}'' reason to think that the beginning of January will see me back in England. I shall not cry unless for joy at getting away. I must leave you to try and find out from William through the Horse Guards in some way or other when we are likely to return, so that you may leave off writing in time.... — Ever your affectionate son,
Fredk. Stephenson.
To his Brother
My dear William, —... My best thanks for the Legion of Honour, which reached me quite safe. You will have known all about the Chinese Treaty long before this, and have probably seen Bruce, who took it home a fortnight ago. Affairs in Canton are far from being in a satisfactory state.... Still, I think the worst is over, and that people will very soon return to their shops and recommence trade; for Hwang, the new Viceroy, has announced to the Allied Commandersin-Chief that the Emperor has informed him that a treaty has been signed; but a more insolent or amusing dispatch than this of Hwang's it is not easy to conceive. He informs us that " the Emperor has graciously accorded us peace, and that as he shall not now most assuredly lead his troops on to attack us, our soldiers may therefore be quite easy in their minds; but that an immense number of Braves have been enrolled, and that if we persist in causing alarm or disturbance in the town he shall not be able to restrain them, and that if we wish for permanent peace we must keep our soldiers under proper control." This piece of impertinence, so thoroughly Chinese, the very type of what might have been written a thousand years ago, has been returned to Hwang with an intimation that he must write in a very different tone if he wishes us to renew peaceful relations. This is a sample of the little difficulties which will impede an immediate restoration to the status quo. He will most probably reply in a suitable manner, and then we shall go on smoothly for a little while until another opportunity offers for indulging in a fresh piece of impertinence. Their vanity, obstinacy, and pride are really wonderful, and are only to be equalled by their lying, their cunning,
1858] ESTIMATE OF CHINESE CHARACTER 223