THE CHINA COMMAND
[Sidenote: 1869. Flag in _Ocean_, July 31.]
Our band played on the Bund, no better in the Far East! Japs making
great preparations to receive the Duke of Edinburgh.
[Sidenote: Yokohama, Aug. 2.]
Parkes and M‘Lay come to dine. Much talk on China affairs; few people
better able to form an opinion than our two guests. All agreed how
lamentably misinformed our Government is.
[Sidenote: Aug. 4.]
Fine weather at last. Madame and Mademoiselle Bertrand, Parkes, and
Newton dined with us. In the night we were disturbed by a row in the
domestic department. A big negro caulker had been visiting in the
village, and returned at 3 A.M., having been rolled in the mud a
foot deep. He made for the kitchen, where his appearance terrified
the Chinese cook, who gave the alarm of thieves. On the animal being
removed to his ship, he admitted to its having been caused by keeping
low company, as if there could be anything lower than himself. He had
affected while on board a religious turn of mind.
_Sylvia_ arrived yesterday, and Brooker, who called this morning,
proposed a party on board his ship to visit “Die Boots.”
[Sidenote: Aug. 6.]
Starting at an early hour to go on board _Sylvia_, was unable to finish
remarks for preceding day. On 4th, while at dinner, a gun announced
the arrival of English mail. Having seen telegrams in both American
and French up to 3rd July, my mind was set at rest about chance of
promotion and relief, the mail bringing news up to June 18, which
pronounced “Admirals Firm.” The last thing that caught my eye was a
small envelope with “_Telegraph_” in the corner, which sure enough
contained all that I had been dreading for a year. It was from the
Admiralty, July 3, and commenced with, “You are promoted”: it ordered
me to Singapore to meet my relief, who would be there on September 3.
In fact, I was to go tearing down against the monsoon in _Salamis_,
with her worn-out boilers, when my relief could come up in half the
time, before the wind; and then I was to have the pleasure of crossing
the Red Sea in the month of September.
As there are two routes, and no detriment to the Service thereby,
I determined on waiting at Yokohama. The time has come at last, my
reign nearly over, and I have no cause to complain; if it were not for
the unjust withholding the G.C.B., I should proceed on my way home
rejoicing.
We got under way yesterday in the _Sylvia_ at 10 A.M. Our party
consisted of Madame and Mademoiselle Bertrand, Raby, Loreiro, Miller,
and ourselves; everything successful but the weather, which continued
rainy and misty. We anchored off the bay at 11, and having made an
excellent breakfast, proceeded in steam launch. Another boat brought
the ladies’ chairs, coolies, and those who liked to come.
The channel, except at high water, when you can make a straight course,
is difficult. However, with the assistance of a native pilot, we got
into the tea-house at Kanasawa without accident, beyond occasionally
touching the bottom. In less than a quarter of an hour, pedestrians,
horsemen (our ponies had been sent on early from Yokohama), and chairs
were fairly under way.
The scenery beautiful, and in spite of the weather, and slow progress
of chairs over slippery ground, everybody was cheery, Madame Bertrand
walking the whole seven miles. “Die Boots” was there in all his
grandeur, and a striking sight it is. Since I saw it two years ago, the
inside has been desecrated with the usual Anglo-Saxon names; in fact,
there is a native who makes a small fortune by attending with a ladder,
brush, and red paint for all those who wish to immortalize their
lady-love’s or their own interesting names!
Our coolies had to “chow-chow,” and the afternoon was far advanced
before we were on our return. The slippery paths made progress so slow
that it was dark by the time we reached our boats; the tide, although
falling, was still high, and with the help of our natives and the ship
in the offing well lighted, we got safely on board, but too late to be
back in time to entertain Sir Harry, who had promised to dine with us.
We partook of Brooker’s hospitable tea, at which we made an excellent
_dinner_. The _Sylvia_ under way anchored at 10.30. By 11.30 we were at
home; by 12.30 at midnight we were well shaken by an earthquake!
[Sidenote: Aug. 10.]
_Pearl_, 21, corvette, Captain John F. Ross, arrived under sail from
Hakodadi. Ross, Boxer, and Miller dined with us. Inspected _Sylvia_, in
very nice order. Flag hoisted at 8 A.M.
[Sidenote: Aug. 13.]
Rougemont, “First” of _Ocean_, came in evening full of distress at a
boat full of officers having been missing for two days, and without
grub. Active and energetic steps immediately taken by Parkes: the
Consular Establishment and whole escort put in motion, the Japanese
Government despatching couriers by sea and land. It appeared afterwards
that Rougemont had been living with Beato, and forgot that the missing
might have returned in his absence from the ship, which, in fact, they
had, and the whole of them had well fed and turned in an hour before
this smart “First” gave this unnecessary alarm. Parkes indignant, and
small blame to him.
[Sidenote: Aug. 15.]
Sabbath, and piping hot! We were enlivened by a royal salute in honour
of the birthday of the Emperor Napoleon III., fired by the French ships
in harbour.
[Sidenote: Aug. 17.]
Hot weather appears to have set in. The greatest nuisance one has to
contend with by day, as well as by night, are the mosquitoes.
[Sidenote: Aug. 19.]
Our band played at Jardine’s on the afternoon of 17th, where I went to
meet our letters on their landing from _Salamis_. Ascertained that the
death of Admiral Bowles was the cause of my promotion. A telegram from
Admiralty extending the time that I should meet my relief at Singapore
to the 19th September. If they had taken that date into consideration
at first, I might have been down there in time, but now the 19th will
be as inconvenient as the 3rd September was a fortnight ago. The
telegram also contained directions to assemble as large a naval force
as practicable to be placed under Stanhope, but its destination could
not be made out. No public news. Admiralty permission given to dispense
with _razors!_ for which I am sorry.
The death of Lieutenant Kent of the _Avon_ enabled me to promote
Hammet (from _Rodney_), whose uncle was killed in the trenches before
Sevastopol. Yesterday at 10 A.M. inspected _Adventure_; clean and
wholesome.
[Sidenote: Aug. 20.]
Threatening weather: got wet through in our ride. Wilkinsons and Adams
dined with us yesterday. Slight earthquake in afternoon. This morning a
typhoon.
[Sidenote: Sunday, Aug. 22.]
The typhoon was sharp and short, but did considerable damage.
Marshall’s house nearly unroofed. Lindo’s fanciful cottage blown down.
Verandahs round soldiers’ huts blown up. American steamer, adrift,
stove in _Salamis’s_ bows, carried away _Sylvia’s_ bowsprit, and did
much more damage of less interest to me. Band played on the bluff.
[Sidenote: Aug. 23.]
Brooding over my wrongs and the want of consideration on the part of my
friends the Admiralty in ordering me to Singapore against the monsoon,
to give up the command to a successor and my junior, when he might so
much more easily come up to me at a saving of £1700 worth of fuel!
Another hot day.
[Sidenote: Aug. 24.]
Mail off this morning; a lull now till the arrival of the _Galatea_,
overdue. Phelps dined with us yesterday: he the manager of the Pacific
Mail Company; she “raised” and in heart a Southerner; he ditto, but
both loyal. The Scotts of 10th Regiment also dined: she the daughter of
the once charming Caroline Stoll, who married, first Thompson, father
of Mrs. Scott, secondly Bob Tryon: she died soon after.
[Sidenote: Aug. 25.]
Made an attempt yesterday in Curio Street: disappointed in the trip
I had promised myself with the Duke of Edinburgh to Peking; have
now the difficulty of executing two ladies’ commissions for curios
in Japan, where they are now not only scarce, but enormously dear.
Our dinner-party included Dr. Hofferman, Staff-Inspector-General of
Military Hospitals, Maxwell, Bosman, and Leman.
[Sidenote: Aug. 26.]
Sorely tempted yesterday to buy two nietschkies, but prices are 500 per
cent above what they used to be. Got a ride with my boy, who begins to
move faster than the Betto who leads the pony can stand. French mail
arrived this morning, bringing French Admiral.
[Sidenote: Aug. 27.]
Into Curio Street again! Could not resist two of the best nietschkies I
have seen, but at the highest price. In the evening we got the contents
of French mail. An Admiral Seymour dead. Hope it is not my friend
Henry, although news by last mail announced his being ill. _Penelope_
to be new flagship. Hewitt to be Captain. This morning returned new
French Admiral’s visit; also looked up my old friend the American
Admiral Rowan, in whose cabin I saw my photograph framed.
[Sidenote: Aug. 30.]
Intended to have recorded passing events after church yesterday, but on
coming out, the _Galatea_ was reported coming in (29).
[Sidenote: Aug. 30.]
Our Saturday dinner-party included Major and Mr. Lucas, Gambier
(_Sylvia_), and Stanhope. I was restless during the night, which, added
to occasional strange noises, sent me cruising about the house with my
revolver. Having seen the orderly on the alert, I placed the revolver
on the dressing-table, which stood between the entrance to the bathroom
and the side of the bed where I slept, close at hand, and again turned
in. On awakening, found some expert thief had entered by the bathroom
window, left open for air, and had not only abstracted three pairs of
my wife’s boots, but, by way of adding insult to injury, the rascal
appropriated my revolver and the clothes of my Flag-Lieutenant.
Several Japs had been seen about the grounds during the night by the
orderlies, but in the unfinished state of outbuildings and grounds they
had many ways of escape. A small ladder used by the builders was found
placed against the bathroom windows, by which the rogue or rogues had
entered.
After luncheon yesterday, Parkes accompanied me on board _Ocean_,
where I went to receive the Captain of the _Galatea_; afterwards went
unofficially on board _Galatea_ to talk over arrangements for landing,
etc. H.R.H. looking well, after his wound at Sydney, and courteous,
as he well knows how to be. We left him to read the contents of three
mails.
Parkes and Stanhope dined with us, and made all sorts of arrangements,
which were upset by His Royal Highness this morning. At 11
A.M. he landed at the bottom of the grounds to let me know his
plans. Accompanied the Prince to call on Colonel Norman, Acting
Commander-in-Chief, and found Mrs. Norman.
On arrival of the _Galatea_, I was astonished to find His Royal
Highness and crew clean-shaved, H.R.H. not having heard of the
Admiralty permission to grow beards, the order having reached Yokohama
a few days previous to his arrival--a proof of H.R.H.’s strict idea
of discipline, although he knew very well that I should not have
interfered with the internal discipline of his ship.