have only got to pay a miserable million and a quarter and restore the former intercourse which existed between us. This sort of existence really becomes a waste of life. We have got Albert Smith '* out here. I have just been lunching with him, and he dines with me the day after to-morrow. It really seems hardly worth his while coming out here for merely a month. I defy him to see much of the Chinese in that time. The results of his observations will be about upon a par with those of the foreigner at Mrs. Leo Hunter's picnic, who was going to write a history of British Institutions and Customs upon the strength of a fortnight's residence in England. It is wonderful, my dear Minny, how my health has stood out here... in fact, I am getting too fat.... I wrote to my mother about a month ago to buy for me my Cross of the Bath.... I find they give you one, which I was not aware of when I wrote; I thought they gave you a pasteboard one, and made you buy a proper one yourself. If this reaches you in time, pray stop her from buying one, and if it is already bought see if you can get it exchanged for something else. This is a most disgraceful scrawl, but I am writing in the dark and I fear a dull, stupid letter, but I only meant to have a little chat. I must now dress to go and meet the Bishop of Victoria at dinner.... — Your affectionate brother, Fredk. Stephenson.
To his Sister
[fragment illegible in the scan of the first edition]
My dear Fanny, — I do not think I have written to you yet since I have been away from England, and you, I am sure, have been constant enough in writing; but you know the frightful odds I have to contend against, they are certainly rather overwhelming. Much as your letters amuse me and give me pleasure, I heartily join with you in wishing that each one you write may of necessity be the last.... The hitch is now at Shanghai, where the two Imperial Commissioners were to have a
1858] A TASTE FOR CATS 231
second interview with Lord Elgin, to arrange some minor details of the Treaty, and these two gentlemen have not yet made their appearance there according to agreement, but are keeping the little Earl waiting their pleasure, much to his disgust and annoyance.... Are they not a wearisome, worrying set? I might be in my own home now if they were not such a childish race.... Our summer is at last gone, I am glad to say, after three weeks in September hotter than anything we have had all through the summer. The monsoon is at last changing, and we have fine cool breezes and plenty of rain.... How I should like to have been with you [at the seaside], instead of fretting away one's existence in this damned hole, where there is nothing but pigtail from morning till night. By the way, the only amiable trait in their habits, or which in any way reconcile them to me, is that they eat cats. You should see them carrying them about the streets in baskets for sale, it would make your flesh creep.... — Your affectionate brother,
Fredk. Stephenson.
To his Sister-in-Law, Mrs. Stephenson
Canton, September 26, 1858.
My dear Julia, —... We have not yet heard that the Imperial Commissioners have arrived at Shanghai.... Lord Elgin has been waiting for them since the 3rd of the month. This... is Chinese all over; they think it dignified to keep people waiting, and if remonstrated with, tell the most unblushing falsehoods as an excuse. Canton is gradually filling again, but still none of the wealthier people are returning.... Merchants at Hong Kong complain that the trade with this place is at a perfect standstill; even at Hong Kong the better class of shopkeepers still remain absent. In the meanwhile our Allies the French are busy with operations in Cochin-China. They have removed all their force there, with the exception of 400 men who still