nghai, and who possesses
the rare talent of being able to read Chinese easily, sent me this
faithful translation of a part of Tchong-Keon's book:

HAVRE, _September 12, 1870_.

I land, and I make myself known. I am the Ambassador of the Emperor of
China. I bear apologies to the Emperor of the French, and presents to
the Empress. There is no Emperor and no Empress. A Republic has been
proclaimed. I am much embarrassed. Shall I offer the apologies and
presents that were intended for the Empire to the Republic?

HAVRE, _September 14, 1870_.

After much reflection, I shall offer the apologies and keep the
presents.

HAVRE, _September 26, 1870_.

Yes; but to whom shall I carry the apologies, and to whom shall I
present them? The Government of the French Republic is divided in two:
there is one part in Paris and one part in Tours. To go to Paris is not
to be thought of. Paris is besieged and blockaded by the Prussians. I
shall go to Tours.

HAVRE, _October 2, 1870_.

I did not go, and I shall not go, to Tours. I received yesterday a visit
from the correspondent of the _Times_, a most agreeable and sensible
man. I told him that I intended going to Tours.

"To Tours! What do you want in Tours?"

"To present the apologies of my master to the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of the French Republic."

"But that minister isn't in Tours."

"And where is he?"

"Blockaded in Paris."

A Minister of Foreign Affairs who is blockaded in a besieged town seemed
to me most extraordinary.

"And why," the correspondent of the _Times_ asked me, "do you bring
apologies to the French Government?"

"Because we massacred some French residents."

"French residents! That's of no importance nowadays. France no longer
exists. You can, if it amuses you, throw all the French residents into
the sea."

"We also thoughtlessly massacred some English residents."

"You massacred some English residents! Oh, that's very different!
England is still a great nation. And you have brought apologies to Queen
Victoria?"

"Yes, apologies and presents."

"Go to London, go straight to London, and don't bother about France;
there is no France."

The correspondent of the _Times_ looked quite happy when he spoke those
words: "there is no France."

LONDON, _October 10, 1870_.

I've seen the Queen of England. She received me very cordially. She has
accepted the apologies; she has accepted the presents.

LONDON, _October 12, 1870_.