THE CHINA COMMAND
[Sidenote: 1869. Yokohama, June 23.]
Some man remarked that having lost half an hour on coming into the
world, he was never afterwards able to make up the lost time. My
journal has got three days behind, and I feel that I shall not be able
to make it up. This is an attempt. My temper, too, ruffled by a vet
who, I believe, poisoned Mrs. Fitzroy’s grey pony.
[Sidenote: June 24.]
The American Admiral arrived on the 21st and a Prussian corvette on
the 22nd, when much saluting of three admirals with their returns took
place. Hakodati invested, but still holding out. Yesterday commenced
housekeeping on our own account, obtaining our hospitable host’s
permission. Children taking kindly to a day governess after desperate
opposition by Colin. Blowing too hard to return calls afloat. Called on
the Netherlands Consul, who was entertaining a party of twenty Dutchmen
who claimed me as a countryman, and with pleasure we liquored up in
sweet champagne. Colin enjoying the substantials.
[Sidenote: June 27.]
On starting for church this morning, the card of Don José de Grandaria,
ex-Captain-General of the Philippines, was put into my hand. He
had arrived by the American mail _en route_ for Europe, _viâ_ San
Francisco. Good fellow that he is, he came to luncheon, and if
possible will dine; glad of an opportunity of returning a trifle of
his hospitality. News from Hakodadi of the capture of the town by the
Imperialist troops and total destruction by explosives of two of Kerair
ships. They, however, still hold the forts.
[Sidenote: June 29.]
Mounted Colin on the pony “Ko” and gave him his first lesson in riding.
[Sidenote: June 30.]
Had the _Rodney’s_ steam launch ready yesterday evening to convey my
good friend, the Governor of Manila, on board the mail steamer. We
first became acquainted in 1837 when he was Governor of Fernando Po.
[Sidenote: July 4.]
The shock of an earthquake was felt about 1 A.M. Clearing up in
the afternoon, Colin mounted his pony before I had got hold of the
tow-rope. Colin touched him with the whip to close with me. The pony,
being fresh, gave a jump and a kick, placing the little man on what he
called his “bob” on the road, and scampered up His Excellency’s soft
turf.
Soon after midnight a sensation was caused by the report of firearms.
Guards were turned out. Sir Harry Parkes saddled, ordered his escort,
and scouts were sent into the town to ascertain the cause. It proved to
be a few Americans sitting up late to usher in the anniversary of their
nation’s Independence.
[Sidenote: July 5.]
The French mail brought news of my promotion. The flag was shifted to
the main and saluted, all foreign men-of-war following suit. Parkes off
for Yedo. He is indeed a zealous, active Minister. The anniversary of
American Independence is to be kept to-day. Our ships are dressed with
flags; the stars and stripes will be saluted at noon by a royal salute.
Hear that our friend Mrs. Alt, who took such care of Algie Heneage and
myself at Nagasaki when we were ill, has had a bad fall from her pony,
which fell with her over the edge of a bank, a drop of some fifteen
feet, kicking her twice in the chest. Called to inquire, and found Mrs.
Alt in the garden. Her ribs were dented, not broken.
[Illustration: _Mrs. Alt._]
[Sidenote: July 7.]
The French mail brought Challier, the successor to Commodore Jones.
Challier commanded the _Newton_ when I had _St. Jean d’Acre_ in the
Tagus. Am left the senior and oldest of all the Naval Commanders on the
station. Stanhope, Crossman, and self inspected yesterday afresh the
site of the Naval Hospital, the erection of which has now been four
years in contemplation by the Admiralty.
The advantages and saving to the country in money, as well as in
transport of invalids, who could be easily cured in this fine climate,
has been admitted from the beginning. Then again, the idea that the
authorities at home should know better the style of building required
than those on the spot has been the cause of the interchange of plans
and surveys. Plans sent out not suitable to the climate, and again each
successive Government not having the courage to insert the cost in the
naval estimates, the expense now, if the hospital is ever built, will
be more than double what it would have been had it been erected when
its advantages and economy were first acknowledged.
[Sidenote: July 8.]
To luncheon yesterday on board _Ocean_: everything perfect, in
Stanhope’s usual style. Afterwards to _Rodney_, taking children. She
being ordered home, had all sorts of live animals. Among them were two
bears, who had the run of the ship. In the summer months hammocks were
little used; the bears lay where they liked, the men using them as
pillows. Each bear would accommodate ten or a dozen at a time. By day
they were all over the place, generally aloft, in the tops or along the
yards, from which they could see every arrival on board.
My daughter was a small four-year-old. While on the poop she found
herself rolling along the deck in the embrace of a bear she had not
before seen. Of course she was immediately released. She knew not what
fear was. The next moment she had seized one of the mizzentopmast
broomsticks, and the bear made the best of his way aloft. He was a
young Siberian given me by Etholin, brought here by the _Juno_ from
Hong Kong; by which ship friend Hugh Low sent us four Sulu pearls.
[Sidenote: July 10.]
My servant, Ah Ho’s right eye black and swollen, painted so, not for
the first time, by my man Fuller--who goes!
A boat-race came off on Saturday between the United States _Iroquois_
and _Ocean_. _Iroquois_ held the challenge cock they had won from our
_Zebra_, and published some tall talk in Yokohama papers. The American
boat was a double-banked whaler, the _Ocean’s_ a twelve-oared cutter.
A fresh breeze. Betting in favour of the American boat, on which some
$1500 had been invested. The American officers had been on board
_Ocean_ with their bag the evening before, and remained until every
dollar they brought was covered.
Never was such an example: the course five miles. The first three
strokes sent the _Ocean_ a length ahead, which advantage they kept,
winning by five minutes. Law, the Commander of _Iroquois_, guessed he
would have to resign the “chicken” he had taken such care of.
[Sidenote: July 13.]
Wrote Cooper Key asking him to appoint Gye Gunnery-Lieutenant of
_Ocean_ on recommission.
[Sidenote: July 14.]
Was introduced to the new bear, a cub resembling the older one. Band
played at Jardine’s. Colin’s pony evinced his dislike to Europeans by
kicking one of the escort, then Webb, and also trying it with me. Got
on his back and quieted him, on the strength of which he afterwards
kicked one of Herbert Smith’s servants, and near home lifted up his
heels without unseating the small Colin. Parkes returned from Yedo; had
Kassim and the curry cook to let him know what a good curry was.
[Sidenote: July 20.]
On Sunday we attended divine service on board _Rodney_ and lunched with
Algie Heneage. Yesterday was an eventful one in my small way. Inspected
the old _Rodney_ for last time. Had a farewell luncheon in the
ward-room. Was absent in _Salamis_ eighteen months out of two years.
Hoped to have had the last year on board _Rodney_ when this unfair
order comes to send her home.
[Sidenote: July 21.]
Band playing at Jardine’s. M‘Hardy, Nepean, and Heneage to dine. While
enjoying cigars the report of a gun from seaward, followed by a couple
of rockets, announced arrival of English mail. Promotion of mates in
_Rodney_. Bath in all its degrees conferred. I passed over for the
G.C.B. Death of my old Chief in Crimea, Charles Freemantle, has placed
me at the head of the Vice.
[Sidenote: July 25.]
Got out in the evening yesterday for a ride with Colin. Had Algie
Heneage to dinner, Bamber, Woodruffe, Ogle, and Simley. As _Cormorant_
was going to the northward, made her signal to weigh and take us in
tow. As we got away, _Ocean_ manned rigging and yards to the very
trucks. They used aloft, with pretty effect, small boat flags, and gave
three hearty cheers to the parting ship, such as Britishers only give.
The American Admiral and Italian ships likewise gave parting cheers.
After luncheon with Algie Heneage, some four miles from the anchorage
we bade the old _Rodney_ farewell.
It is seldom that relationship has the same hold on a sailor’s
affections as that of a shipmate. They manned the rigging and repeated
hearty parting cheers. After we had quitted her, the flag was
transferred to _Ocean_ and saluted by _Rodney_. French mail in. Article
in _Saturday Review_, May 29, on “English Policy” in China refers to
the actions of Gurdon and Domville at Swatow and Formosa last year.
Local papers defend my policy.