Letters and Journals of James, Eighth Earl of Elgin eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 654 pages of information about Letters and Journals of James, Eighth Earl of Elgin.

Letters and Journals of James, Eighth Earl of Elgin eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 654 pages of information about Letters and Journals of James, Eighth Earl of Elgin.
arranged by to-morrow to our satisfaction, &c. &c.  So, after an interview, in which there was the necessary admixture of the bitter and the sweet, the officer was sent back to his master.  Supplies are coming off in abundance to the ships.  In short, the people are most desirous to buy and sell, if the authorities will only leave them alone. Six P.M.—­I have had a long walk on the same side of the river as yesterday.  We first went through the whole depth of Hankow, on a line parallel with the river Han.  We estimated our walk in this direction at about two miles, but a good deal of it was along a single street flanked on both sides by ruins.  We then embarked in a sanpan and came down the Han, passing through a multitude of junks of great variety in shape and cargo.  We landed near its mouth on the Han-yang side, and walked to that town, which is a Foo or prefectoral city, and walled.  It contains the remains of some buildings of pretension, triumphal arches, &c., which, imply that it must have been a place of some distinction, but it has been sadly maltreated by the Rebels.
December 9th.—­Four P.M.—­The day is rainy, and the purser complains of difficulty in making his purchases yesterday, and that coal is not coming off to us as promised, &c.; so I thought it expedient to do a little in the bullying line to keep all straight.  When the Governor- General therefore sent off this morning to say that he was ready to receive me, I despatched Wade and Lay to inform him in reply that the day was too bad for me to land, and that I had to complain of the difficulties put in my way about money, &c.  He received them in person, and was very gracious; said that he had been at Canton; that he understood all about us; that if he had been there, Yeh would never have behaved as he did; that in former days the Chinese Government had bullied us; that we had bullied them of late years; that it was much better that henceforward we should settle matters reasonably; that he was desirous to show me every attention in his power; that when the port should be open he would do all he could to promote commerce and good understanding.  In short, he spoke very sensibly.  It is exceedingly probable that if he had not got a little check, he might have kept us at as great a distance as possible; but, be that as it may, it is just another proof of how easy it is to manage the Chinese by a little tact and firmness.  We are now loading coal, flour, &c., as fast as we can take it on board.

[Sidenote:  Visit to Governor-General.]

December 10th.—­Six P.M.—­This day broke fine and clear, so I sent off to the Governor-General to tell him that if he would receive me I would visit him at 2 P.M.  We went with considerable pomp.  A salute going and returning.  A guard of eighty marines and sailors, and a party of about thirty in chairs.  We passed through about a mile of the town of Ouchang Foo, and were received
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Letters and Journals of James, Eighth Earl of Elgin from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.