my despatches, &c. The arrest
of Parkes and the others is a very disagreeable incident, and we do
not yet know what it may lead to. I sent word yesterday to the
Emperor's brother, who is now named to treat with me, that unless they
are returned to the camp within three days' time, and a pledge is
given that the Convention I drew up at Tientsin is signed, Pekin will
be assaulted. We are anxious, until we receive an answer to this
_ultimatum_. It was a reply to a letter from the Prince to me, in
which he coolly stated that the prisoners should be returned when our
army and fleet had retired from the country. ... Meantime we have an
army in excellent health, abundantly supplied, and which, in five
actions with the enemy, has lost some twenty killed! ... I think I
told you at the close of my last letter, that at midnight on the 18th
I received a note in pencil from the General, telling me what had led
to the conflict of that day. At 3.30 A.M. I sent an answer by
Crealock, and at five set off with an escort of thirty Irregulars, to
ride about twenty miles to the General's camp.

We then agreed that the Commanders-in-Chief should send a notification
to the chief mandarin of Tung-chow, to the effect that, unless our
countrymen were forthwith restored, Pekin would be assaulted. No
notice was taken of this. So on the 21st we advanced, and attacked a
large body of Tartars, encamped between Tung-chow and Pekin. I
accompanied the infantry and artillery during the day's proceedings.
We encamped after the battle, where we now are, among some trees. We
sleep in tents, but we have a house where we mess. I am living with
the General, as my establishment has not yet been brought up from Ho-
see-woo. I rode over yesterday to see the Russian Minister, who, with
his sixteen Cossacks, is occupying the village, or rather town, of
Chin-kia-wan, which was taken after the affair of the 18th. It is a
sad scene of desolation. General Ignatieff was very obliging and
friendly, as I have indeed found him to be throughout. He and I
entirely agree as to how the Chinese should be fought. ... I may be
very near the close of this China business, or I may be at the
commencement of a new series of difficulties. All is very uncertain at
present. ... The climate is pleasant here, were it not for the
quantity of dust, wh