g fire, in the language of the children of the "rising
sun." Then followed their box-like engine, borne on bamboos across the
shoulders of the main body. Notwithstanding the ludicrousness of the
whole cavalcade, the men set to work most energetically, and displayed
that dash and intrepidity of conduct for which the Japanese are famed,
and which must eventually raise them to the dominance of the peoples of
the far east. Right into the midst of the fire dashed these fellows,
their only shelter from the fierce glare being the before-mentioned
umbrellas. These frail shades, though made only of paper, seemed to
answer the purpose admirably.

October 26th.--Left for Wosung, anchoring in the Yang-tsze, after a
quick run of four days across the Yellow Sea. We are to await here the
arrival of the flying squadron. Meanwhile an opportunity was given us of
visiting the great European metropolis of China. The "Foxhound" was
ordered down from Shanghai, and converted into a passenger steamer, for
the benefit of our ship's company. Shanghai at this time offered plenty
of scope for enjoyment to sailors. The city is divided into three
principal parts or "concessions"--English, French, and American--the
English being far more extensive than the other two combined, and much
more beautiful, with clean broad streets, houses like palaces, and shops
which would do no discredit to Regent street or the Strand. The great
attraction was the races, held outside the city, on the Nankin Road,
near which is an extensive race-course.

Of the native city--well--perhaps the less said the better. It is full
of the foulest filth and abominations in which it is possible for even a
Chinaman to exist. I will not afflict my readers with a description of
its horrors; it would scarcely be fit reading for our friends. Fever and
plague are ever rife within the city gates, a fact so well established
that the European residents never visit this quarter. We had not been
warned of this, however, and the result was that some of our men, who
had weakened their systems with poisonous liquor, fell victims to some
disease very like cholera, which in two cases proved fatal within
twenty-four hours. I trust these awfully terrible examples were not
without their lesson to us. (Shipmates, there is a higher aspiration
within the reach of every sailor than that of blindly devoting himself
to the service of the "boozy" god, a self-immolation which leaves no
enjoyment--no healthy