My dear William, —... We have received no news of Lord Elgin since his departure up the Yang-tzekiang for Nankin.... He has got about 800 or 900 miles before him, and there is a very strong current in the river. It will be a very interesting trip, for he will go well into the heart of China, where no European except a missionary has been before, and he will pass Nankin, now in possession of the rebels. He takes with him a pretty good force with which to hold his own in case of need, viz. Retribution and Furious steam frigates, a steam sloop and two gunboats, and I think that so imposing a force will ensure him against insult.... Since I wrote above the mail has come in, and I see by the Treaty that we are to occupy Canton until the indemnity is all paid.... The rebels are certainly making great progress in this country; they have entered the province of Hwang Tung at four different points, and will soon be pillaging in all directions. Hwang has thought it necessary to look out for himself, and has thrown up works of defence round the town he is staying in. The present state of things cannot be an agreeable one for the Cantonese, and must certainly make them all the more desirous to pay the indemnity and get rid of us as soon as they can. I have not sent you any money home for some time, as the dollar 3« has been so low. It gradually went down from the beginning of this year until it reached 4s. 2d., but shortly after the Treaty was signed it rose to 4s. yd., or 4s. lod.... What chance is there of our getting any prize money allowed?... Tell Helen I am in despair about getting her a clean tail... but I will not forget her....
Canton, December 13, 1858. — I have just received your letter of the 25th October with a degree of pleasure which I leave you to guess. I cannot
1 859] DISAPPOINTMENT 235
thank you enough for the steps you have taken in getting me recalled.... My recall, however, has not come out by this mail.... I don't quite like yet giving myself up to the full pleasure of coming home, for fear of a disappointment, but if the next mail does bring my recall I don't know anything in the world that could give me greater pleasure. I think I shall come home straight, — travelling in these parts is too expensive, — but should I change my mind and not come home direct you shall hear from me by next mail. Instead of going to India I think I should go to Japan, if I could get a passage in a man-of-war, or to Borneo, or Java from Singapore,... I shall see when the time comes, for at present I hardly like to trust myself to these thoughts, and I dare say when the time comes I should be mad enough to do anything. One thing, however, you may be sure of — I will telegraph to you from Alexandria. I wish I were there now.... I hope they [his mother and sisters] will not be disappointed if I come back empty-handed. I really have seen nothing out here worth bringing home. All the best old china is to be bought in England, and the modern is not worth having. In curiosities I have seen little if anything of a pleasing character.... I assure you that I look upon the purchase of anything out here as a curiosity or object of interest as money thrown away....
Canton, January 26, 1859. — I received by the last mail your letter which announced the mistake which had been made about my returning home; but there is, I assure you, no necessity for your distressing yourself about my disappointment, for from the first I never could clearly understand how my recall could have been managed, and therefore directly placed a check on the conviction I should otherwise have freely indulged in, and my suspicions were strengthened by the absence of the necessary ofRcial letter.... However, all is for the best; events