or the iron ships get so heated by the
sun during the day that they are never cool, however fresh the night
air may be.

[Sidenote: Negotiations.]

_August 29th._--I intended to have told you that I was sending a stiff
letter to my old friend Kweiliang; but, in fact, it has taken some
time and consultation with Gros to settle its terms, and it is only
now being translated. Yesterday afternoon the long-expected mail
arrived. ... Shall I really eat my Christmas dinner with you? Really
many things are more improbable than that. I hoped at one time that
this letter might be despatched from Pekin; but as we have to meet
Commissioners here, and to make a kind of supplementary treaty before
proceeding thither, it is doubtful whether we shall accomplish this. I
am not sure that I like my present domicile as well as I did my
domicile here in 1858, because, although it is a great deal more
_orne_, it is proportionably hotter, being surrounded by walls which
we cannot see over. It is a great place, with an infinite number of
courts and rooms of all sizes. I should think several families must
live in it, unless the establishment of a Chinese gentleman is very
large indeed. If Kweiliang and Co. come into our terms, my present
intention is to send at once to Frederick officially, and request him
to come on to Pekin. ... He has been having some very troublesome work
at Shanghae with the Rebels; indeed, there is at present work enough
for both of us in China.

_September 1st._--Kweiliang arrived last night, and sent me a hint
that he intended to call on me to-day. I sent one in return, to say
that I would not see him until he had answered my letter. I fear a
little more bullying will be necessary before we bring this stupid
Government up to the mark. Both yesterday and to-day I took a ride in
the morning with Grant. I rode a horse of his, a very nice one. The
sun becomes powerful very early, but it is a charming climate now. The
abundance of all things wonderful: beef and mutton at about threepence
a pound; peaches, grapes, and all sorts of vegetables in plenty; ice
in profusion. I daresay, however, that in six weeks' time it may be
very cold.

At one moment, on the 2nd of September, it really seemed as if the object
of the mission was achieved; for the Imperial Commissioners--one of whom
was the same