phor-wood box, and the address, beautifully embroidered in gold
thread and silk, was enclosed in a magnificent sandal-wood box about
four feet long, covered with the richest carving. Precisely at twelve
some forty vermilion-coloured visiting cards were handed in, with the
name of each member of the deputation written in Chinese and English
characters. The visitors were all received in a large drawing-room,
whilst we ladies observed the proceedings through the doors leading
from a smaller room. It is not considered etiquette by the Chinese for
ladies to appear at these public ceremonies.

[Illustration: Chinese Visiting Cards]

After it was all over, a stroll through the town, and a look at the
shops, filled up the rest of the time in the morning, until we went on
board to fetch the children for an expedition up the Peak to the
signal station. As usual many visitors came on board the yacht, and it
was later than we had intended before we could make a start. I had to
be carried up the steep ascent in a chair, but the children and dogs
thoroughly enjoyed themselves scampering about. The little ones picked
heaps of flowers and ferns. The dogs had not been allowed to land
before, as everybody told me they would be sure to be stolen directly.
We returned on board before sunset, and had time for a little rest
before some friends arrived to dinner. We have shipped two Chinese
boys here to work in the pantry and kitchen. They are excellent
servants as a rule, but how they will get on with the others, and how
they will like the sea-life, remains to be proved.

_Wednesday, February 28th_.--I was up and off at half-past six to the
market, and returned to a late breakfast on board; after which a large
party of China merchants came as a deputation to invite Tom to fix a
day to dine with them. I think they proposed to pay him what is for
them an unusual compliment, partly because they were pleased with some
remarks he made yesterday at Government House, and partly because they
think so much of his enterprise in making a voyage round the world in
a yacht with his wife and family. They examined everything on board,
and seemed to be specially interested in Tom's Board of Trade
certificate, which one of their number translated in full for the
benefit of the rest.

The Chinese part of the town stands quite away from the foreign
settlement. It is dirty and crowded in spite of its wide streets, and
the large, gaily coloured houses have t