p to the boom, and though I slept little, it
was cool. Last night I came down to the cabin again. I have taken the
turn, and am on the mend, though I do not yet feel the least
inclination for food, and my nerves are so shaky that I can hardly
write. That little pretty book[7] of Guizot's which you sent me, I
have been trying to read, but I find that it is too touching for me,
and I have been obliged to lay it aside.

_September 11th._--I am now at Singapore again, which is my kind of
oasis in this desert of the East; the only place where I have felt
well or comfortable, and where there has been a sort of cordiality in
the people, which makes one feel somewhat at home. I shall stay here
two days, to gain a little strength before plunging again into the
sea.

[Sidenote: Perplexities.]

_Hong-Kong.--September 20th._--I did not attempt to write on my way
from Singapore to this place, because, though we were much favoured by
the weather (as this is the worst month in the China seas and the most
subject to typhoons), the motion of the screw in the 'Ava' is so bad,
that it is almost impossible to write when she is going at full speed.
However, I may now tell you that we made out our voyage in six days of
beautiful weather, and that I have gone on gradually recovering my
health, which I lost between Calcutta and Singapore. I believe I do
not look quite as blooming as usual; but it is of no use my claiming
sympathy on this score, for, as the Bishop of Labuan appears to have
said, I always have a more florid appearance than most people, and
never therefore get credit for being ill, however ill I may feel. I
found two mails from home.... The Government approves of my having
sent my troops to India, and Clarendon's letter seems to imply that
they are not quite insensible to the difficulties of my position....
As it is, I now find myself in a very puzzling position. If I go to
the North I shall lose prestige, and perhaps also time; it is even
possible that I may force the Emperor to declare himself against us,
and to direct hostilities against us at the northern ports, where
hitherto we have been trading in peace. On the other hand, if I do not
go to the North, and make pacific overtures to the Emperor, I shall go
dead against my instructions, and against the policy which Palmerston
has over a