The British Arms in North China and Japan: Peking 1860; Kagosima 1862

Front matter

THE BEITISH AKMS IN NOKTH CHINA AND JAPAN : PEKING 1860; KAGOSIMA 1862. D. F. RENNIE, M.D., SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER OF THE FORCE IN THE NORTH OF CHINA J LATE SURGEON TO HER MAJESTY'S LEGATION, AND TO THE LEGATION OF HIS MAJESTY THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH AT PEKING. LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 1864. [The Right of Translation is reserved.] LONDON: BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS. TO LIEUT.-COL. EDWARD ST. JOHN NEALE, C.B., KNIGHT OF SAN FERNANDO ; FORMERLY SECRETARY OF LEGATION AT PEKING, AND LATTERLY HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S CHARGE D'AFFAIRES IN JAPAN ; SC^ris ftalrtm is |ttsmhi», AS A TOKEN OF F.EGAED, ET HIS SINCERE FRIEND, THE AUTHOR. PEEFACE. I have been induced to add the following Volume to the Works already published on the subject of China, by the consideration that our information regarding that vast Empire has been in a great degree confined to the Southern districts — in which, owing to the deterioration caused by intercourse with the Western nations, the character of the Chinese can be least favourably and least correctly estimated.

Being attached to the expeditionary force which marched to Peking, and being stationed in that city and at Tien-tsin for a considerable length of time, I had peculiar opportunities of observing the native character in a part of the country hitherto closed to European intercourse. Many of the events connected with the expedition to Peking I personally witnessed. When not myself present I had the advantage of receiving information on the spot from those immediately engaged, which I recorded in my daily journals written at the time. My connection with the British and French Legations placed me in the way of acquiring much interesting information, and has enabled me to VI

Preface

. record many facts about China, as well as traits of Chinese character, not generally known. The delay which has occurred in the publication of these notes has arisen in the first place from my not having had any thought originally of giving them to the press, and secondly from my professional engage ments with the army, which have greatly impeded the task of preparing my journal for publication. An opportunity of visiting Japan about the time of the British expedition to Kagosima, has enabled me to add some account of that country, and of the state of feeling entertained towards the English and other Europeans by the Daimios and the Japanese generally. The present critical state of affairs renders valuable any addition to our scanty information regarding that remarkable country and people.

Having given special attention to the hygiene of the army, I am not inclined to endorse the generally received opinion that the expedition to North China was a remarkable sanitary success. The expedition was formed under peculiarly favourable sanitary condi tions. The troops were selected out of men already seasoned in India. The force was afterwards weeded of its sick and weakly on three occasions before landing. The operations in the field were performed in the healthy season. Yet, with all these advantages, the amount of sickness and invaliding was very considerable. The direct application of sanitary science by the appointment of a medical officer, whose sole duty it

PREFACE.

. VII was to contend with nuisances and to carry into effect sanitary reform, was not in my opinion attended with any great results. The sickness of the army while living in a pure, and, to all appearance, salubrious atmosphere, and its immunity from disease among the foulest odours of animal and vegetable decomposition, presented some astonishing paradoxes, which seem to shake the primary and simplest conclusions of sanitary science. I shall be glad if the records of my experience in this respect can throw any light upon this difficult but important subject, which is but little understood, and from which, in my opinion, too much immediate result has been expected. Shanghai, Iftul August, 1863. CONTENTS.

Introduction

. ORIGIN OF THE THIRD CHINESE WAR. PAGE The disaster at Taku — Its cause — Proposed ratification at Peking of the treaties of Tien-tsin — Arrival of the Plenipotentiaries at the Peiho — The Chinese refuse to open the river — Failure of the attempt to clear the passage — Assistance from the American Commodore — Gallantry of Admiral Hope — Moderate demands of the Government — Re-appointment of Lord Elgin and Baron Gros — The Author volunteers for service in China . . . 1

Chapter I

Arrive at Hong Kong — Aspect of affairs — Rejection of the ultimatum — Preparations for war — Occupation of Chusan — Friendly disposition of the natives — Hong Kong — Kowloon hired from the Chinese Government — Formation of a Chinese Coolie Corps — Arrangements for garrisoning Hong Kong and Canton . . .8

Chapter II

Kowloon — The Chinese Coolie Corps — Wreck of the "Isere" — Parade of the Coolies — The Happy Valley — Record of mortality in the 59th Regiment — Barracks of the Coolie Corps — Sir Hope Grant — Seik soldier and vegetable vendor — The Seik Cavalry — The Loodiannah Regiment — Shanghai threatened by the Taeping rebels . . .14

Chapter III

Loss of Her Majesty's Troop-ship "Assistance" — Return of Transports owing to foul weather — Allied attack on pirates at Chusan — Sanitary condition of the Troops in Hong Kong— The "Winifred" Coolie ship — Chinese doctor — Mo 'es of deserting from the Coolie Corps — Boat population near the Hajrpy Valley— Quarrying by Chinese— Missionary children — State of Shanghai — The Taeping rebellion — Ascent of Victoria Peak — Arrival of Lord Elgin and Baron Gros — Fall of Soochow — Chinese tailors . . .21 CONTENTS. X CHAPTER IT. PAGE Embark in the "Weser" — Muster of the Crew — Punishments — M. Tao— Off the Yang-tse-kiang— Sisters of Charity — Uncertainty of Monsoon — Council for promoting deserving sailors — The Shantung Promontory — Che-foo — The French camp — ■ Questionable seizure of junks — Chinese Jew — A Jewish colony . 33

Chapter V

Che-foo Harbour — Trade— Climate — Health of the Troops — Interview with General Montauban — The French force— Market supplies — ■ Chinese money-changers — Judicious treatment of the natives — Buddhist temple — Progress of the shopkeepers in French — Construction of the houses — Arrival of the "Calvados" — The Coolie Corps .......... 40

Chapter VI

Agriculture — Appearance of the Peasantry — Gunboats — Kit inspection — French mode of carrying ammunition — Its advantages over the English method — Watch-tower — Military air of the dolies — Leave Che-foo — Talien-whan Bay — Camp of the Second Brigade — The Bell Tent — Capture of Junks — Interview with Sir Hope Grant— Auriferous quartz — Arrival of Lord Elgin — Sir Robert Napier ........... •17

Chapter VII

Trial of a Marine — Boat accident, and death of Captain Gordon — Visit of the French Commanders-in-Chief— Native houses — Stove bed-places — Village temple — Cartoons — Proposed hospital — Head man of the village — Gambling in the Coolie Corps — Their cookery and quarters — Ship whitewashed — Baggage ponies — Tea unknown to the peasantry — Dr. Thomson — Episode of the Disaster at the Peiho — Low state of health of the troops — Bell Tent — Weight of ammunition ....... 57

Chapter VIII

The Expedition sails for the Peiho — The anchorage sighted — The French Fleet arrives — First view of the Taku forts — Preparations for landing at Peh-tang — Landing effected — March through the mud — The Forts deserted — First shot of the Campaign — Military occupation of the town — The "Zouave" cattle ship — - Mortality on board — Commencement of hostilities — Reconnaissance in the direction of Taku .67

Chapter IX

Confusion at the landiDg-place — Head-quarters of the First Division — Uninterred coffins — The Hospital of the 31st Regiment — CONTENTS. XI PAGE Valuable clothing — Order against looting — A Chinese family resi dence — The Sonth Peh-tang fort — Explosive machines — State of Horse Transport Service — Mortality among the horses on board ship — State of Peh-tang after rain — Reconnaissance — Attempt of the Chinese to open Negotiations — Order for the advance of the Army — Sanitary paradox — Exertions of the Officers and Crews of the Gunboats ......... 77

Chapter X

March on Sinho — Artillery Waggons abandoned in the mud — The first Armstrong Gun — The Action of Sinho — Capture of Entrenchments — Tartar Cavalry retreat towards Taku — Sinho occupied — Tartar Vedettes — Junction with Second Division — Appearance of the Troops — Details of Action on the Right — Bivouac — Sinho — Tartar Tents — Dexterity of Tartar Horsemen — The Gingal — Breakdown of the Horse Transport Corps — The Times Correspondent — Coolies' contempt for Cash — Prisoners captured by the Tartars — Horses galled by ill-made pack-saddles — Papers found in the house of the Tartar General . 86

CHAPTER XL

Advance of the army upon Tang-koo— The Artillery open fire — Capture of the fort — Apparent non-efficiency of our fire — Scenes inside Tang-koo — Cavalry enclosure — Captured guns — Prisoners — Camp flooded— Punishment parade — Samshu — Military bridge — Armstrong guns — Exaggerated statements respecting their success — Cholera — Return of the Sergeant and Coolies captured on the 12th — Flag of truce — Preparations for the attack on the Northern Forts 98

Chapter XII

Advance upon the Taku forts — Explosion of magazines — Upper North Fort taken — Aspect of the fort after its capture — A photographic group — The cavalier — The other forts hoist white flags — An armistice granted — Details of the capture of the upper North Fort — A Coolie in search of Sycee silver — Flags of truce arrive — A letter from the Governor-General — Mandarin conveying it speaks English — Termination of the armistice — The lower North Fort surrenders — Terrific thunder-storm — Return of the army through the mud ......... 108

Chapter XIII

Surrender and occupation of the South Taku Forts— Gallantry of the Chinese defence — The Chinese Coolie Corps — Capacity of the Chinaman to make an efficient infantry soldier — Defects in the Armstrong gun — Revisit the North Taku Fort — Burial scene — Admiral Hope proceeds to Tien-tsin — Visit opposite bank of river — Embark for Tien-tsin — Accident to the gunboat CONTENTS.

Chapter XIV. Pace

Steam up the Peiho — Vessels get aground — Obliging disposition of the villagers— Arrival at the Forts of Tien-tsin. Their appearance and construction — Occupation of Tien-tsin by Admiral Hope — Visit to the walled city— Civility of the inhabitants— A village deputation — Assault on a villager by a sailor — Sang-ko-lin-sin's commissariat arrangements — Appointment of Imperial Commissioners — Lord Elgin's arrival at Tien-tsin — Reinforcements sent to defend Shanghai — Departure from Tien-tsin .... 129

Chapter XV

Arrive at Shanghai— State of affairs— Visit the European settlement and the Chinese city — Brigadier Jephson's interview with the Tautai — Tea-gardens —Baby Tower — Sail for Hong Kong — Chinese festival — Return to Shanghai — Chinese soldier's devotions — Chinese petition to Mr. Bruce — English shooting party — Sickness on board ship — Malaria and ague — The English in Japan — Arrive at Tien-tsin — News from Peking .... HO

Chapter XVI

Summary of Occurrences on the Peiho — Communications between the Commissioners and Lord Elgin — Negotiations broken off — Advance towards Tuog-chow — The Prince of I — Mr. Parkes' interview — ISth September — Endeavours to recover the prisoners — The Prince of KuDg — Advance towards Peking — Imperial Palace plundered — Prisoners returned — Anting Gate surrendered — Funeral of the murdered English — Destruction of Yuen-ming-yuen — Entry into Peking — Treaty signed — Character of the Chinese negotiations — Conduct of the Chinese on the 18th September — Opinion of Lord Elgin ...... 158

Chapter XVII

Tien-tsin— Housing of the Troops — Chinese shot by sentries — The sponge-cake man — Temple of the Oceanic Influences — City wall- Heavy rain — Seizure of houses — The Caugue — Committee of British Supply — Imperial decree — Chinese entertainment — Wounded Chinese soldiers — Magistrate — Return of Lord Elgin — Occurrences at Peking — Return of Troops — Reappearance of Trade — Chinese dinner — Indian followers— Departure of Baron Gros — Comte de Bastard — Departure of Lord Elgin — The mess-room of the 31st — The Peiho frozen — Sir Hope Grant — Arrival of the Indemnity Money . . . . . .171

Chapter XVIII

A Chinese druggist's shop — The remains of the prisoners — -Quarters of the garrison — Soldiers' barrack-rooms at night — Ozone and its influence on health — Population and revenue of China — The CONTENTS. XIII PAGE Chinese candle — French soldiers' inscriptions — Parental grief — Opium smoking — Peking — Cruelty to dogs — Chivalrous sports of officers — Visits to Chinese officials — Acts of violence — Inse curity of property entrusted to military guards — Chinese hawking ■ — State of affairs at Peking and Je-ho — The Tien-tsin Fire Brigade — Chinese funeral obsequies — Public baths — Marriage procession — Effects of the looting of Yuen-ming-yuen on the French army 195

Chapter XIX

Frozen porter — Statistical fallacies — Indifference of local officials in respect to hostilities against the Government — Dead beggar — New Tear pictures — Chinese hawking party — Scarcity of copper — Occasional resistance of the Chinese to extortion — Self-sacrifice — Distribution of money to indigent Chinese — Its disastrous results — Extreme cold — Serious illness and death of General Collineau — Procession to propitiate a weather divinity — Funeral of General Collineau — Sketch of his career — Outrage by English soldiers at Taku — Private of 67th in trouble . . . .217

Chapter XX

An opium' smoking-shop — The kow-tow — Small-pox and rude inoculation — The Foundling Hospital — Chinaman executed — Funeral procession — Demolition of a house for sam-shu dealing— Pawnbroker's establishment — News from Peking — Juvenile gambling — Garrison theatre opens — Approach of the Chinese New Year — Mortality amongst the troops — A Foreign Office to be established at Peking — Severe cold — Preserved fish — A Chinese joke — Old furniture shops — The silver pheasant — A dying Mandarin — The Audience question — Lord Macartney and the kow-tow — Ushering in of the New Year — Chinese compliments of the season — The ancestral tablet 231

Chapter XXI

New Year's Visit from Chang- — Injudicious snowballing — Ingenious toymaker — Robberies — Literary examinations — Peking Foreign Office — Seal of the late Emperor for sale — French loot — Rent dispute — Funeral obsequies — Visit to Chang — Chinese theatre — Restaurants — Feast of Lanterns — Presentation of the Victoria Cross — Brigade drill — Chinese opinions thereon — Ice commences to break up — News from Mr. Morrison — Chinese General reduced to the ranks — Sang-ko-lin-sin — Effect of electrical changes on the sick — Health of the Seiks compared with that of Europeans — Legation Guards detailed for Peking — Break-up of the ice — Prussian Diplomatic Mission — Commercial prospects of Tien-tsin — The Legations proceed to Peking — Evacuation of Tien-tsin . CONTENTS. JAPAN. PAGE

INTRODUCTION.

269

Chapter I

Embark at Shanghai for Japan — Cholera in tbe Yang-tse-kiang — Aspect of the coast — First impressions of the European settlement — The French and Dutch flags fired on — Aspect of affairs at Yokohama — Rural scenery — The peasantry and their habitations — Position of the foreign settlement — The British Legation — A Japanese garden and gardener — H.M.S. "Centaur" expected 282

Chapter II

The steamers "Elgin" and " Rajah"— Fire at Yeddo— Visit to the native town — Curiosity shops — Reconnaissance along the Tokaido ■ — Kanagawa — Scene of Mr. Richardson's murder — Japanese grooms — A tea-house beauty — Japanese disciplined troops — Arrival of H.M.S. "Centaur" from Nagasaki — Action of the "Wyoming" with the vessels and forts of the Prince of Negato — Extreme heat and its fatal effects — An earthquake . . 290

Chapter III

The Japanese custom-house system — Objections to the exposing of the sword blade — The Gaukiro— A Japanese entertainment — A Japanese game — Public baths — Freak of two French soldiers — ■ Visit to the "Medusa" — Japanese shot and shell, whence obtained — Visit to the "Wyoming" — Terms of construction of Legation residences — H. M.S. "Coquette" sent to communicate with the French Admiral in the Straits 304

Chapter IV

Seamen and marines land for battalion drill — The armament of the "Euryalus" — Remarks on the Armstrong gun — Arrival of a member of the Gorngio from Yeddo — His interview with the Foreign Ministers — Sanitary paradox at Yokohama — Japanese washermen — The Chinese in Yokohama — Comparison between the Japanese and the Chinese — Question of the descent of the former from the latter ........ 311

Chapter V

Return of the French Admiral — His proceedings in the Straits of Semonosaki — Daimios' retainers — Military character of the Japanese — A Chinaman's views regarding the hostilities — CONTENTS. XV TAGE Captain Macdougall — The Governor of Kanagawa — Conference of Foreign Ministers — Visit to the barracks of the disciplined Japanese — ■ Barrack-room drill — Disregard of national prejudices 320

Chapter VI

The Gorogio's reply to the French Minister — An American sailor wounded by a Yaconin — The Tycoon and the Daimios — Agriculture — Rapid acquisition of the language by a foreigner — The peasantry — Inconsiderate conduct of equestrians — Naval conference respecting the inland sea question — Japanese shampooing — Its application to the treatment of disease — The blind in Japan— Origin of the Tycoons 329

Chapter VII

Report respecting the return of the Tycoon — Mode of committing suicide a branch of Japanese education — Fight between the betos and the Gaukiro people — Attempt on the part of Japanese traders to procure rifled cannon — Japanese doctor and medical science — Diet of the natives — A profitable land speculation — Errors respecting the disposition of the peasantry — A Japanese official wounded — Return of the Tycoon — Hostile feeling towards foreigners at Miako — Aptitude of the Japanese for mastering the details of machinery — Purchase of the "Lyemoon" steamer — Fire-proof stores — Primitive state of society— Preparations for leaving Yokohama for Nagasaki — Peaceful news — Modes of travelling in Japan — Tattooing — Violent death of the murderer of Mr. Euskin 339

Chapter VIII

Departure for Nagasaki — Division of exchange profits amongst the crew — The currency question in Japan — Encounter a portion of a typhoon — Nagasaki harbour — Peaceful aspect of affairs — The old Dutch settlement of Desima — Singular reception of the Dutch superintendent of trade by the Tycoon at Yeddo— Analogous position of the agents of the late East India Company at Canton — The Japanese town of Nagasaki — Effects of solar influence — Heat apoplexy — Occurrence of cholera at Nagasaki co-existent with salubrity of climate — Observations on cholera .... 353

Chapter IX

Visit to the Japanese steam factory at Nagasaki — English tea establishment — Commercial relations of the Prince of Satsuma with foreigners at Nagasaki— IntervieV with two of Satsnma's high officers — Anxiety expressed by them to avert the visit of the British squadron to Kagosima — Leave Nagasaki — Arrive at Shanghai 3/2 JUST READY, By the same Author, PEKIN AND THE PEKINESE: JOURNAL OF A RESIDENCE IN THE CAPITAL OF CHINA. THE BEITISH AEMS IN NORTH CHINA AND JAPAN.

INTRODUCTION.

. ORIGIN OF THE THIRD CHINESE WAR. The disaster at Taku — Its cause — Proposed ratification at Peking of the treaties of Tien-tsin — Arrival of the Plenipotentiaries at the Peiho — The Chinese refuse to open the river — Failure of the attempt to clear the passage — Assistance from the American Commodore — Gallantry of Admiral Hope — Moderate demands of the Government — Re-appointments of Lord Elgin and Baron Gros — The Author volunteers for service in China. On the 14th of October, 1859, the steamer from King George's Sound, with the homeward Australian mail, touched at the Mauritius to coal. I was a passenger on board, and the first news which reached us, on dropping anchor in the harbour of Port Louis, was, that a serious reverse had befallen our arms — in conjunction with those of France — in China ; that four gun-boats had been sunk by the fire of Chinese batteries in an ineffectual attempt to force the passage of the Peiho — and that 500 men had been killed or wounded in the attack upon the Taku forts which defend the entrance to the river.

This news seemed so improbable — so completely at variance with all past experience of Chinese warfare — that we hesitated to believe it. It proved, however, but too true ; the story is soon told, and with it the circumstances which led to the Third Chinese War. E On the 26th of June, 1858, the treaty with China, ne gotiated by the Earl of Elgin, was signed at Tien-tsin, and on the day following the treaty negotiated on the part of France by Baron Gros. In each a clause was introduced providing for the exchange of the ratifications at Peking, within one year from the dates of signature. With the view of this clause being duly carried out, the Honourable Frederick Bruce, C.B., brother of the Earl of Elgin, was appointed Her Majesty's Envoy Extraor dinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in China, and directed to proceed by the way of the Peiho to Tien-tsin, and thence to Peking.

Instructions from home were at the same time sent to Admiral Hope, the naval commander-in-chief in China, to provide a sufficient force to accompany Mr. Bruce to the mouth of the Peiho. Mr. Bruce, on arriving at Shanghai, found the Commis sioners Kweiliang and Hwashana, awaiting his arrival there, in place of being at some point near the capital. A communication was received from them, begging Mr. Bruce to delay his departure for Peking, and to discuss with them at Shanghai certain details connected with the treaty. Mr. Bruce declined to do so, but offered them steam conveyance to the Peiho to enable them to reach Peking at the same time that he would. This they declined, alleging that they had no authority for returning by sea. In the meantime Admiral Hope assembled his fleet, numbering in all some nineteen vessels, in the Gulf of Pe chili, at the Sha-lu-tien Islands, about twenty miles from the Peiho.

On the 17th of June, 1859, he proceeded to the anchorage otT Taku, in H.M. ship " Fury," and sent her gig on shore, with an interpreter, to intimate that the Ministers of England and France would shortly be there on their way to Peking. The boat was met at the beach by an armed rabble, who stated that they were militiamen, acting on their own responsibility, and that the forts were defended and the river staked with the view of affording them pro-

INTRODUCTION.

. 3 section against pirates. They denied the presence of con stituted authority, and alleged that they had no instructions regarding the arrival of the foreign Ministers, but offered to transmit any communication to Tien-tsin, and to bring back a reply. Admiral Hope again sent on shore, and requested that within three days they would remove such of the ob structions from the mouth of the river as would clear a passage for the vessels accompanying the Ministers. To this request they made no apparent objection, and further stated that they had sent a messenger to Tien-tsin to acquaint the authorities with what had occurred. Admiral Hope then returned to Sha-lu-tien, and the following day brought his fleet to anchor off the Peiho. On the 20th of June, Mr. Bruce and Monsieur de Bour boulon, the French Minister, reached the Peiho.

The same day Admiral Hope sent a boat to see if the obstacles had been removed from the river, and to deliver a letter to the Intendant of Tien-tsin. The same armed rabble came down to the bank and refused to allow the party to land. In place of having removed any of the obstacles, they had increased the defences, and when taxed with a breach of faith in so doing, denied having promised to clear them away — adhering at the same time to their original state ment that they were militiamen, acting on their own responsibility, in the absence of regular civil or military authority. After a long and anxious deliberation, the ambassadors determined, in their joint names, to request Admiral Hope to adopt whatever measures he might deem expedient for the opening of the river, so as to admit of their continuing their journey to Tien-tsin.

This occurred onj the 21st of June, and nothing was done until the 24th ;* the Admiral having been engaged in the interval notifying to the Chinese * On this day, Mr. Ward, the American Minister, went into Taku in a small steamer, and requested to be allowed to proceed on the mission which he had to Peking, but he was refused, and had to return. is a that as they would not remove the obstacles, he should pro ceed to do so himself. Accordingly, on the night of the 24th, a portion of the defences were blown up, preliminary to the operations intended to be carried out next day at as early an hour as the tide would permit. After a good deal of delay, caused by difficulties connected with the tide, on the afternoon of the 25th of June, about two o'clock, Admiral Hope succeeded in getting his gunboats in position close to the barriers, and commenced at tempting their removal.

The Taku forts immediately opened a fire, which proved so heavy and destructive, as in a com paratively short time to completely disable four gunboats. The Chinese artillerymen served their guns with a degree of skill and deadly precision that our navy had never wit nessed in previous contests with them. As the remainder of the attacking vessels were now all aground, it was thought necessary for their safety that the forts should be captured by storm. This was the most disastrous part of the affair. A battalion of Marines had been kept in reserve as a storming-party, and disposed of in junks out of range. The determination to employ them was come to late in the afternoon, but no ready means were available for bringing them up ; the only vessels capable of crossing the bar being either sunk or aground.

It was at this critical moment that Commodore Tatnall,* of the American Navy, rendered the important service of towing the reserves into action. The attempt to storm the forts ended in a total defeat ; out of 1,100 men that went into action, 434 were either killed or wounded, j * This gallant officer, hearing that the British Admiral was lying badly wounded, jumped into his barge, and through the thickest of the fire pulled to the "Cormorant," where Admiral Hope was. On the way he had his cockswain killed by his side, who had been with him thirty years ; and while he was with the Admiral, the crew of the barge, like true sailors, amused themselves by taking a turn at the guns, which were short-handed. f The French force was represented by about 100 men, landed from the " Duchala," the commander of which vessel was wounded.

INTRODUCTION.

. 5 The conduct of Admiral Hope in this disastrous en gagement was characterised by an amount of personal gallantry and total disregard of self second to none in the records of our navy. An eye-witness has thus described it : " The ' Plover ' went into action at 2'30, the Admiral standing on the top of the cook-house, myself and the French captain on the harness cask in front of him. By three o'clock he was badly wounded by a round shot taking away the fleshy part of the thigh; the lieutenant commanding and eight men were killed, and twenty-two badly wounded. She then dropped down for more men, and the Admiral left her, to hoist his flag in the ' Opossum.' All this time his wound had been unattended to, except what my little surgical knowledge pointed out. When we left the ' Plover ' there were only nine of us with a whole skin left out of her crew ; she was literally like a butcher's slaughter-house.

We had not been long in the ' Opossum ' before the Admiral was again wounded. We had managed to get him on the top of the cook-house again, and being weak from his wound, he was supporting himself by the mainstay, when a round shot took that away, and threw him on the deck, injuring him on the head and fracturing his ribs. Still he would not give in, and was placed on the gunwale, till at last, being quite exhausted, he fainted. I then got him into a French boat, and was taking him away, but he came to and asked me which was the ship furthest in, I said ' Cormorant.' ' Then take me there.' So we went to the ' Cormorant,' where, finding him perfectly unable to stand, I had the signal made for Captain Shadwell, the senior captain, who came on board and took charge." On the 26th of June, Admiral Hope having reported to Mr. Bruce his inability to clear the passage of the river with the force at his disposal, the Ministers decided to con sider their mission to Peking at an end for the present, and Mr. Bruce directed the Admiral to dispose of the remainder of his fleet in such manner as he thought best calculated to secure tranquillity at the various ports on the coast where trade with Europeans was earned on ; and thus ended the attempt made by the plenipotentiaries of England and France to ratify the treaties of Tien-tsin, the failure to effect which constitutes the prologue of the Third Chinese War.