April 13th, Nine P.M.—­We had an adventure this afternoon.  I was on the paddle-box bridge watching, as we passed between the town of Tung- Chow Foo (a long wall, as it seemed, stretching for about four miles, with a temple at the nearest end) and the island of Meantau, when I felt a shock,—­and, behold! we were aground.  Our gunboat, which we towed, not being able to check its speed at a moment’s notice, ran foul of us, and we both suffered a little in the scuffle.  We got off in about two hours.  On the whole, I am rather glad that we have a gunboat with us, for if anything serious did happen, it would be rather awkward, under existing circumstances, to be cast on the coast of China.  It is as well to have two strings to one’s bow.

April 14th.—­This morning it was thick and pretty rough.  It is now (4 P.M.) very bright and comparatively smooth.  We have seen no land to-day, nor, indeed, anything but sea and a few junks.  Shall we meet any vessels at the rendezvous?  A few hours will tell.

[Sidenote:  The rendezvous.]

April 15th.—­We saw, at about 5 P.M. yesterday, Russian at anchor, and went towards her, but were afterwards obliged to remove to some distance, as we had not water enough where she is.  While we were going to our berth, the ‘Pique’ came in sight.  So here we are—­’Pique’ ‘Furious’ and ‘Slaney’ (gunboat), in an open sea, land not even risible.  Captain Osborn started off this morning, in the gunboat, to sound and find out what chance we have of getting over the bar at the mouth of the Peiho.  Putiatine came on board this morning.  He has sent to the shore a note announcing his arrival.  I am not disposed to do anything of the kind.  The best plan, as it appears to me, is to move steadily up the river as soon as we can get ever the bar, and let the Chinese stop us if they dare.  Putiatine says that he will follow me, if I pass without any resistance being offered, but that he must not go first, as his Government forbids him to provoke hostilities.  This division of labour suits me very well.

April 19th.—­I have nothing to write about.  You may imagine what it is to be at anchor in this gulf with nothing to do....  If I had had my gunboats, I might have been up the Peiho ere this.  I might perhaps have brought the Emperor to his senses....  Meanwhile Reed is arrived.  Gros is last, but he is bringing his Admiral and force with him.

April 21st.—­Gros arrived last evening.  He is very well disposed, and ready to act with me.  The French Admiral may be expected any day.  We are going to make a communication to Pekin to invite a Plenipotentiary to meet us here, as we cannot go up to Tientsin.

About a week afterwards the bar was crossed; but it was not until three more weeks had passed that the forts at the mouth of the river were taken, in order to secure the passage of the Envoys up to Tientsin.