urned 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 a plain, till we reached a temple at which the
Plenipotentiaries were awaiting us. A dense crowd of Chinese men--I
saw not one wom