4 A.M. we reached a point in the centre of the suburb of Tientsin, at which the Great Canal joins the Tientsin or Peiho river.  There I found the Admirals, Frederick, &c.  Frederick had got this yamun for us, half of which I have had to give to my French colleague.  It consists of a number of detached rooms, scattered about a garden.  I have installed myself in the joss-house, my bedroom being on one side, and my sitting-room on the other, of the idol’s altar.  We have a letter informing us that the Emperor has named two great Officers of State to come here and treat, and our Admirals are in very good humour, so that matters look well for the present.

June 1st.—­I found my joss-house so gloomy and low, that I have returned to my first quarter in the garden, on a mound overlooking the river.  It consists, of a single room, part of which is screened off by a curtain for a bedroom.  It is hot during the day, but nothing much to complain of.  I took a walk yesterday.  The country is quite flat, cultivated in wheat, millet, &c.  Instead of the footpaths of the southern parts of China, there are roads for carriages, and wheeled carts dragged by mules in tandem going along them.  I have not been in the town, but some of the party were there this morning, and one had his pocket picked, which is a proof of civilisation.  They say it is a poor place, the people stupid-looking and curious, but not as yet unfriendly.

June 4th.—­I am to have an interview with the Chinese Plenipotentiaries to-day.  I devoutly hope it may lead to a speedy and satisfactory pacific settlement; but I am sending to Hong-Kong for troops, in order to be prepared for all eventualities.  In sum, my policy has resulted in this:—­I have complete military command of the capital of China, without having broken off relations with the neutral Powers, and without having interrupted, for a single day, our trade at the different ports of the empire.

[Sidenote:  Negotiations.]

Tientsin.—­June 5th—­After sending off your letter yesterday, I went to have my first official interview with the Chinese Plenipotentiaries.  I made up my mind, disgusting as the part is to me, to act the role of the ‘uncontrollably fierce barbarian,’ as we are designated in some of the confidential reports to the Chinese Government which have come into our hands.  These stupid people, though they cannot resist, and hardly even make a serious attempt to do so, never yield anything except under the influence of fear; and it is necessary therefore to make them feel that one is in earnest, and that they have nothing for it but to give way.  Accordingly I got a guard of 150 marines and the band of the ‘Calcutta,’ and set off with all my suite in chairs, tambour battant for the place of rendezvous.  It was about two-and-a-half miles off, and the heat of the sun very great.  The road carried us through several narrow streets of the suburb, then across