serious fighting.

On 14th August the sound of guns was heard, and shells were seen
bursting against the gates of the Tartar city, and the besieged knew
that relief was at hand, and so it proved. At three p.m. the British
native troops, followed by General Gaselee and staff, entered the
legation, and the siege was at an end.

The relief and thankfulness felt in Great Britain and throughout the
empire at the conclusion of this memorable siege could not be better
expressed than in the words telegraphed by Queen Victoria to the officer
commanding the marine guard:

"I thank God that you and those under your command are rescued from your
perilous situation. With my people I have waited with the deepest
anxiety for the good news of your safety and a happy termination of your
heroic and prolonged defence. I grieve for the losses and sufferings
experienced by the besieged."

The casualties among the British garrison amounted to 6 killed and 21
wounded, among the latter being Dr Morrison, the _Times_ Chinese
correspondent, the total amongst all the defenders being 65 killed and
160 wounded, although 4000 shells fell in the legation during the siege.
The relief arrived only just in time, as there were but three days'
rations left, and the Chinese were attacking with increasing rigour
towards the end.

THE RELIEF OF PEKIN.

In Europe and in America, cut off from all reliable sources of
information about what was happening at the embassies, the suspense was
very great. In July rumours came of the fall of the legation, and the
massacre of all the Europeans. Even in official circles the news was
accepted as true; obituary notices of the members of the legation
appeared in the daily press, and arrangements were made for a public
funeral service at Saint Paul's Cathedral.

It was some time after the arrival of this report in Europe that the
allies found themselves able to start from Tientsin, being equally
uncertain as to what they would find to be the state of the embassies,
if they themselves should arrive there; happily, though late, it proved
not too late.

On 3rd August the allied generals arrived at a resolution to commence
the advance the next day with, approximately, 20,000 men, namely, 10,000
Japanese, with 24 guns; 4000 Russians, with 16 guns; 3000 British, with
12 guns; 2000 Americans, with 6 guns; 800 French, with 12 guns; and 300
Germans, Austrians, and Italians.

Among the British contingent the navy wa