eave of him. The consequence was that Frederick had a long and,
to all appearance, satisfactory conversation with him.

[Sidenote: Leaves Pekin.]

After this we set out for Tung-chow. We had to wait there all night,
as our boats were not ready, and we are now (_10th November, noon_)
gliding down the river, each in a _chop_ boat (a little boat with a
very convenient cabin, in which one can sleep, read, write, &c.), on a
lovely autumn day, low temperature, and bright sunshine. I think that
this wind-up at Pekin was very promising. It is probable that there
may be some reaction when the Emperor and the bad advisers whom he has
about him return, and even Ignatieff did not choose to remain at Pekin
during that moment of reaction. At the same time, it is evident that
Kung, who is his brother, has committed himself to the peace policy,
and that his intercourse with us has been much more satisfactory to
him than he at one time expected. It is probable that the Emperor will
for once hear something of the truth. Kung will claim credit for
having induced us to remove from Pekin to Tientsin, while the fact
that we are still as near as Tientsin will be an _in terrorem_
argument in support of his policy of conciliation. If Kung weathers
the difficult moment which he will have to traverse when the Emperor
returns, I have hopes that all the benefit which I have expected to
derive from our minister's residence at Pekin will be achieved. Our
_Sinologues_ are fine fellows. It is refreshing to see their spirit
and pluck. Wade, Parkes, and Morrison, all put their services at our
disposal, and offered to remain alone at Pekin. My choice, however,
fell on a younger man, of whom I have a very good opinion, and who has
been with me as assistant-interpreter.[12] I thought it better, for
many reasons, to leave a person who had smaller pretensions than any
of those I have named. The gossip is that the Emperor is occupying his
time at Jehol by marrying a fourth wife (a rather expensive
proceeding) and getting tipsy. I am afraid he is not much worth;
although, if the papers in the vermilion pencil, which we found in the
Summer Palace, are his writing, he is not such a fool as people
suppose. ... Frederick brought with him your letters to September
10th. I pray that you may now be rejoicing in the belief that Bruce is