Galle, Ceylon.—­May 26th.—­This is a very charming place, so green that one almost forgets the heat.  Ashburnham is here; we go on together to Singapore this evening.  Bad news from India.  I think that I may find in this news, if confirmed, a justification for pressing matters with vigour in China, and hastening the period at which I may hope to see you again.

Steamship ’Singapore.’—­May 27th.—­General Ashburnham brought with him a report of a most serious mutiny in the Bengal army.  Perhaps he sees it in the worst light, because he has always (I remember his speaking to me on the subject at Balbirnie) predicted that something of the kind would occur; but, apart from his anticipations, the matter seems grave enough.  The mutineers have murdered Europeans, seized the fort and treasure of Delhi; and proclaimed the son of the Great Mogul.  There seems to be no adequate European force at hand to put them down, and the season is bad for operations by Europeans.  Such is the sum and substance of this report, as conveyed by telegraph to Elphinstone, the evening before Ashburnham left Bombay.  I was a good deal tempted to remain at Galle for a few hours, in order to await the arrival of the homeward-bound steamer from Calcutta, and to get further news; but, on reflection, I came to the conclusion, that the best course to take was to view this grave intelligence as an inducement to press on to China.  I wrote officially to Clarendon to say, that if this intelligence was confirmed, it might have a tendency to lower our prestige in the East, and to increase the influence of the party opposed to reason in China; that this state of affairs might make it more than ever necessary that I should endeavour to bring matters in China to an issue at the earliest moment, so as to anticipate this mischief, and to place the regiments destined for China at the disposal of Government for service elsewhere.

May 29th.—­We are now near the close of our voyage, and the serious work is about to begin.  Up to this point I have heard nothing to throw any light upon my prospects.  It is impossible to read the blue-books without feeling that we have often acted towards the Chinese in a manner which it is very difficult to justify; and yet their treachery and cruelty come out so strongly at times as to make almost anything appear justifiable.

[Sidenote:  Penang.] [Sidenote:  Bishop of Labuan.] [Sidenote:  Character of Chinese.]

Penang.—­June 1st.—­We have just returned to our vessel after a few hours spent on shore; or, rather, I have just emerged from a bath in which I have been reclining for half an hour, endeavouring to cool myself after a hot morning’s work.  We made this place at about eleven last night, running into the harbour by the assistance of a bright moon.  The water was perfectly smooth, and I stood on the paddle-box for some hours, watching the distant hills as they