nion the voyage up the Yangtze is not the
least important one.

_January 22nd._--Mail arrived. Frederick's appointment[5] is very
satisfactory, and I am sure it is the best the Government could have
made for the public interest. It is a great comfort to me to know that
he will wind up what I cannot finish.

[Sidenote: Return to Hong-Kong.]

_Shanghae.--January 25th._--After full consideration I have resolved
to go at once to Hong-Kong, and take the Canton difficulty in hand. A
variety of circumstances lead me to the conclusion that the Court of
Pekin is about to play us false. Ho, the Governor-General of the Two
Kiang; the Tautai of this port; and the Treasurer of the district, all
well-disposed to foreigners, have been gradually removed from the
councils of the Commissioners. Some papers which we have seized also
indicate that the Emperor is by no means reconciled to some of the
most important concessions obtained in the Treaties. This row at
Canton is therefore very opportune. I have taken a high tone, informed
the Commissioners that I am off to the South to punish disturbers of
the peace there, and that when I have taught them to respect treaties,
I (or my successor) will return to settle matters still pending here,
pacifically or otherwise as the Emperor may prefer. It is to be hoped
that this language will bring them to their senses, or rather bring
the Court to its senses, for I do not suppose that the Commissioners
are so much to blame. I had already asked all the society here to a
party this evening, so it will be a farewell entertainment, and I
shall embark as soon as it is over.

[Sidenote: Pirate-hunting.]

_At Sea, near Hong-Kong.--Tuesday, February 1st._--Two war-steamers
and a gunboat have just passed us on some expedition after pirates. It
may be all right, but I fear we do some horrible injustices in this
pirate-hunting. The system of giving our sailors a direct interest in
captures is certainly a barbarous one, and the parent of much evil;
though perhaps it may be difficult to devise a remedy. The result,
however, is, that not only are seizures often made which ought not to
be made at all, but also duties are neglected which do not bring grist
to the mill. B. once said to me, in talking of the difficulty of
exercising a police over even English vessels which carry c