repare for going in dock.

March 26th.--The last day for our stay in Aberdeen. A special steam
launch had arrived from Hong Kong during the forenoon with all the elite
of the city to see the floating of our ship. However, they were doomed
to disappointment, for, on the tide reaching its highest, it was found
the ship refused to move, nor would she start, though every effort was
made to coax her. It was not until the next tide, assisted by a strong
breeze, that the ship once more rested in deep water.

With characteristic expedition and commendable zeal, our captain had the
ship ready for sea, and awaiting orders in the briefest possible time.

April 21st.--Early this morning that pleasant sound, the cable rattling
through the hawse, told us that we had bid good-bye to Victoria, for a
few months at least. A rather stiff breeze was blowing at the time--a
sufficient hint that we might possibly meet with something rash outside;
nor was the hint to be disregarded, for, scarcely had we cleared the
mouth of the harbour, when, what sailors call a "_sneezer_," accompanied
by a green sea in all our weather ports, met us as an introduction to
our northern cruise. So threatening was the look of the sky, and
remembering that in these seas old Boreas often indulges his fancy in a
gentle zephyr called a typhoon, it was deemed expedient to seek shelter
for the night.

On the third day out we reached Amoy, or rather the outside anchorage of
that harbour, to await daylight for the passage up to the town.

So far as the little island settlement forming the foreign concession
can make it so, Amoy is a pretty enough place; otherwise it is like all
other Chinese towns, and wont bear too close a scrutiny. It is built on
an island of the same name, and is walled in by several miles of
embrasured masonry; a fort or barracks on the beach, gay with pennons,
imparting a semi-military look to the place. Flags seem to play a most
important part in the usages of war amongst this nation, for, in
addition to the great banners of the mandarins and their subordinates,
every soldier bears one in the muzzle of his rifle, or stuck in a bamboo
over his shoulder.

Resuming our course, after a stay of about forty-eight hours, we next
touched at the island of White Dogs, off the port of Foo-Choo, the great
naval depot and arsenal of China. The "Vigilant" had preceded us here to
embark the admiral for Foo-Choo, whilst we put to sea again.

April 30th.--At