Heard that Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane had been at Hong Kong since June 19. Took an early trip with Plenipotentiary (Sir Henry Pottinger) and young Harry Parkes, on board _Queen_ steamer, breaking the monotony of daily routine. [Sidenote: Oct. 31.] With Grey and Hope, _Phlegethon_ in company, across shoal; the shortest way to the sacred island of Potoo. Some pretty sites for joss-houses and Chinese graves. Returned to Plenipo’s steamer _Queen_ for dinner--large party. [Sidenote: Nov. 1.] Returned to _Dido_ in _Phlegethon_. [Sidenote: Nov. 2.] _Herald_ sailed for England. Heavy job getting captured guns on board _Forth_ transport. Brass guns good as money. [Sidenote: Nov. 3.] Early ride with Admiral and two Generals, with staff, etc., over a beautiful part of Potoo Island. Good breakfast in a joss-house. Dined with Bouchier. [Sidenote: Nov. 4.] Dined with the Admiral, who talked of sending me Senior Officer to the Straits. Like the idea much. Several fatal cases of cholera on shore and afloat. [Sidenote: Nov. 5.] Our sick-list under twenty. Walk in city with Grey Skipwith; had him and other old “Childers” to dine--Rice, Coaker, and Comber. [Sidenote: Ning Po, Nov. 8.] On board _Phlegethon_ steamer to join Admiral and party to Ning Po. _Blonde_ sailed for England. Got to Ning Po in five hours--one of the largest and finest towns I have seen in China. Dined on board steamer, slept in a joss-house. The party consisted of Fred. Grey, Sir Hugh Gough, and some military officers from Chusan. The shops were exceedingly pretty. [Sidenote: Nov. 10.] Much pleased with Ning Po and my trip. Saw more of China and the Chinese than in any other place. Took an early ride with the Admiral, C. Hope, F. Grey, Henry Seymour, and Skipwith. Bringing up the rear of the party, I saw many nasty-looking snakes rise suddenly from under our horses’ feet and dash into the bushes on either side. [Sidenote: Nov. 15.] Preparing to convoy transports. Grand dinner with the Admiral, Generals, and Plenipotentiary. [Sidenote: Nov. 17.] Prior to our departure with transport, _Dido_ had an early visit from Admiral, who was much pleased with the ship, as I think he ought to have been. [Sidenote: Hong Kong, Nov. 23.] 9.30 A.M.--Came to in Hong Kong. Saluted flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, flag flying on board _Agincourt_. Found _Endymion_ and transports. Hong Kong now a British possession. Counted upwards of seventy ships in the anchorage. [Sidenote: Nov. 26.] Dinner with Lord Saltoun--best fellow, if not the best soldier, in the expedition; good dinner. [Sidenote: Nov. 28.] Invited Grey to dine with me, but did so with him instead on board _Endymion_; he had been inspected a good deal by Sir Thomas Cochrane without seeming to enjoy it. [Sidenote: Nov. 29.] I dined with the Rear-Admiral and four Generals--dinner good--footmen in plush breeches. Grey and I got leave to go to Macao. [Sidenote: Dec. 1.]