ocked him down, thrown a quantity of sand into his eyes, and carried
off his watch. This sort of affair is not uncommon. I have bought a
revolver, and am beginning to practise pistol-shooting.

[Sidenote: Preparation for action.]

_December 9th._--Baron Gros came here on Monday. We have been busy,
and all our plans are settled. I sent up this evening to the Admiral
my letter to Yeh, which is to be delivered on Saturday the 12th. He is
to have ten days to think over it, and if at the end of that time he
does not give in, the city will be taken. We are in for it now. I have
hardly alluded in my ultimatum to that wretched question of the
'Arrow,' which is a scandal to us, and is so considered, I have reason
to know, by all except the few who are personally compromised. I have
made as strong a case as I can on general grounds against Yeh, and my
demands are most moderate. If he refuses to accede to them, which he
probably will, this will, I hope, put us in the right when we proceed
to extreme measures. The diplomatic position is excellent. The Russian
has had a rebuff at the mouth of the Peiho; the American at the hands
of Yeh. The Frenchman gives us a most valuable moral support by saying
that he too has a sufficient ground of quarrel with Yeh. We stand
towering above all, using calm and dignified language, moderate in our
demands, but resolute in enforcing them. If such had been our attitude
from the beginning of this controversy it would have been well.
However, we cannot look back; we must do for the best, and trust in
Providence to carry us through our difficulties.

[1] One of his Fifeshire neighbours.

[2] The Governor of the island.

[3] His brother, then Consul-general of Egypt.

[4] His eldest son.

[5] His birthday, and also his father's.

[6] Narrative of the Earl of Elgin's Mission, i. 55.

[7] Life of Lady Rachel Russell.

[8] The death of his elder sister, Lady Matilda Maxwell.

CHAPTER VIII.

FIRST MISSION TO CHINA. CANTON.

IMPROVED PROSPECTS--ADVANCE ON CANTON--BOMBARDMENT AND CAPTURE--JOINT
TRIBUNAL--MAINTENANCE OF ORDER--CANTON PRISONS--MOVE NORTHWARD--SWATOW--MR.
BURNS--FOOCHOW--NINGPO--CHU-SAN--POTOU--SHANGHAE--MISSIONARIES.

[Sidenote: Improved prospects.]

On the same day on which the ultimatum of the Envoys was delivered to Yeh,
i.e. on the 12th of December, 1857, the glad news reache