of the leaders in this expedition came again into play; a breeze
sprang up from the right quarter, so that the whole of the sailing
ships have been helped marvellously on their way. When I went on deck
the whole line of the French fleet--it consists almost exclusively of
steamers--was coming gallantly on, Gros at the head. He is quite
cutting me out this time. The farther distance was filled by our
sailing transports scudding before the wind. They have been filing
past us ever since, dropping into their places, which are rather
difficult to find, as the Admiral has changed all his dispositions
since his arrival here. The captain of the 'Actaeon' dined here
yesterday. He told me he had gone a mile or two up the Pey-tang river,
been allowed to land, seen the fort, which is quite open behind, and
contains about a hundred men. Thirty thousand English (fleet and army)
and ten thousand French ought to be a match for so far-sighted an
enemy. However, I suppose we must not crow till we see what the Tartar
warriors are. _Three P.M._--The French Admiral has just been here. He
tells me that we are to move from the anchorage to a place nearer Pey-
tang on Monday, and that on Tuesday a _reconnaissance_ in force is to
be made on that place, with the intention, I presume, of taking it.

[1] Vide _supra_, p. 226.

[2] Colonel Crealock, military secretary to the Embassy.

[3] 'The absence of any panic was very creditable to the passengers. It,
however, was mainly due to the conduct of the two Ambassadors, who,
during the whole time, remained quietly seated on the poop conversing
together, as if no danger 'impended.'--_Personal Narrative of
Occurrences during Lord Elgin's Second Embassy to China_, by H.B. Loch
Private Secretary.

[4] The Honourable T.J. Hovell Thurlow, attache to the Embassy.

[5] His birthday.

[6] The reference apparently is to the uneasiness produced in Europe by the
annexation of Savoy to France.

CHAPTER XIII.

SECOND MISSION TO CHINA. PEKIN.

THE LANDING--CHINESE OVERTURES--TAKING OF THE FORTS--THE PEN TIENTSIN--
NEGOTIATIONS BROKEN OFF--NEW PLENIPOTENTIARIES--AGREEMENT MADE--AGREEMENT
BROKEN--TREACHEROUS SEIZURE OF MR. PARKES AND OTHERS--ADVANCE ON PEKIN-
-RETURN OF SOME OF THE CAPTIVES--FATE OF THE REST--BURNING OF THE SUMMER
PALACE--CONVENTION SIGNED--FUNERAL OF THE MURDERED CAPTIVES--IMPERIAL
PALA