most if they intend to supplant, to any
considerable extent, in the native market, the fabrics produced in
their leisure hours, and at intervals of rest from agricultural
labour, by this industrious, frugal, and sober population. It is a
pleasing but pernicious fallacy to imagine, that the influence of an
intriguing mandarin is to be presumed whenever a buyer shows a
preference for native over foreign calico.

In returning to Shaughae, Lord Elgin had hoped to find the objects of his
mission so far secured, that there would be nothing to prevent, his sailing
for England at once: but nearly two more months elapsed before he was able
to turn his back on the Celestial Empire.

_Shanghae.--January 17th._--The 'Furious' and 'Cruiser' arrived here
safely on the 10th.... I have just accomplished the Herculean task of
looking over a two-months' supply of newspapers, and this occupation,
interlarded with a certain number of letters and visits to and from
the Imperial Commissioners, and, to-day, an address from the British
community of Shanghae, has pretty fully occupied my time.[3] The home
mail is due to-day, and 1 am anxiously waiting to learn from it what
the Government intends to do about relieving me.... I trust that your
many disappointments as to my return may have been somewhat relieved
by the conviction that I am following the right course. This opening
up of the East is not a light matter.... The comet was most
magnificent here. Did I ever mention it in my letters? During the
whole period of its visit in this quarter it had night after night a
clear blue cloudless sky, spangled with stars innumerable, to disport
itself in.... Canton is coming round to tranquillity as fast as we
ever had any right to expect; but the absurd thing is that these funny
people at Hong-Kong are beginning to praise me!

[Sidenote: Troubles at Canton.]

_January 20th._--I had hardly written the words 'Canton is coming
round to tranquillity.' when I heard that there had been fighting
there again. It is a good thing in my opinion, as it will enable us to
demonstrate our superiority to the Braves, if the General and Admiral
improve the opportunity properly; not by a great deal of slaughter,
that is quite unnecessary, but by promptitude, and striking a blow at
the right moment. The Chinese do not care much about being killed, but