The first part of the homeward voyage, along coasts already so well known, offered little to dwell upon except the thankful recollection of what had been accomplished, and the joyful anticipation of happy meetings to come.  The journal contains the following entries:—­

[Sidenote:  Leaving the Gulf.]

’Ferooz,’ Gulf of Pecheli.—­November 27th.—­So far on my way home.  I left Tientsin on the 25th at about 7 A.M.  We had to plough our way through ice until we reached the Taku Forts, at 8.30 P.M.  We found the Admiral in the ‘Coromandel.’  He was very civil, and would have given me accommodation for the night; but I had so many people with me, that I thought it better to push on; so at about midnight we crossed the bar of the Peiho river.  There was so much broken ice on the inner side of it, that it reminded one of some of the pictures of the arctic voyages.  We forced our vessel through—­a little Indian river-boat—­and found on the outside enough sea to make us very glad when we reached the ‘Ferooz’ at 2.30 A.M.  It was about 4 A.M. when I was able to lie down to rest.  Since then we have been waiting for Parkes, who stayed at Tientsin for a letter from Pekin about the opening of the Yangtze river, which I am anxious to take with me to Shanghae. ...  Yesterday was a lovely day; a bright sun, and the air frosty enough to stimulate one to walk briskly.  This morning there was a strong gale from the north-west, but it subsided after midday.  I had a very satisfactory time at Tientsin.  We got through a good deal of business; and, what is most pleasant to me, Frederick seems perfectly satisfied with the whole affair, and the part I have taken in it. ...  The Admiral, who is very strong in support of me, had given orders that the whole fleet should be illuminated with blue lights, if I reached the ‘Ferooz’ at night.  This I did not know, or I should not have chosen so unseasonable an hour.  The consequence was that the illumination was not complete, but it had a fine effect so far as it went.  Scores of transports have taken their departure, which is a great blessing, for they have been costing fabulous sums.  Too many troops are still left; but I hope soon to get them reduced.

November 28th.—­Two P.M.—­We are off.  All the vessels in the English fleet here manned yards and saluted as we passed; and, when we reached the French fleet, all the yards were manned, and the Admiral saluted.  I thought we could not do less than return the latter.  It was all a very fine sight, the day being favourable.  Parkes arrived last night while we were at dinner, but without the letter which he had waited for.  The latter, however, reached me this morning, and is very satisfactory; so that I shall have accomplished the great object of opening the Yangtze to trade.

After a few days of ‘lovely weather,’ enjoyed to the full in the ’Ferooz’—­ ’certainly a most splendid yacht—­such a fine deck, and quieter than a Royal Navy vessel’—­he reached Shanghae on the 3rd of December.