There was a good assortment of trading junks; two customs Government boats were showily decorated, the Captain was entertaining a tea party. Our surveying officers landed to take sights for chronometers and soon collected a crowd, some of whom, when the officers had picked up their instruments and turned their backs to go down to the boat, began hooting and throwing stones, a number of specimens of which were brought on board; some of them quite big enough to have knocked a man off his thwart. Observing what was going on, I ordered a blank gun to be fired to remind them that we were a vessel-of-war, and might pitch something into them that would hit harder than stones. I asked Swinhoe, who was just shoving off from the ship, to go alongside the Government vessel and demand an explanation. The Captain, who was at that moment sitting down to entertain his guests, said that, seeing the gathering of roughs that was taking place, he had despatched a messenger to the Prefect, telling him of the outrage and recommending his sending down a force to keep the peace; informing him that a great British Admiral had arrived with a thousand men, and that he would assuredly avenge the insult. Swinhoe informed this officer he had better go on board and explain matters to the Admiral. The customs official, who had some misgivings as to the propriety of trusting himself within the power of an incensed British Admiral, hesitated. He held many consultations with his guests, and they all appeared to think he ran great risk; but on Swinhoe assuring him that he could not answer for the consequences if he did not go and explain, at the end of three-quarters of an hour he figged himself up with another cup of tea, and, taking his pink-buttoned hat, with its hanging feather, like a fox’s brush, he resigned himself to his fate, took leave of his fat friends and descended with Swinhoe into the _Salamis_ boat. Seeing him coming, I had only just time to put on uniform and a _war_ expression, when he was ushered on board. After the usual “chin chin,” we were seated opposite one another, when he broke out in a nervous, but loud voice to explain matters. I informed him that it was a very serious offence; that by treaty a man-of-war was allowed to go to any part of China and have protection; that the affair at Swatow commenced in the same way by some roughs, over whom the authorities professed to have no control, throwing stones, which ended in my having to destroy three large towns, with great loss of life to the inhabitants. I told him, in this case, one presumed the Governor was not aware we were coming, and I should content myself with reporting to Peking the treatment my officers, while unarmed, had received. I requested the official to inform the Governor that, when I returned, a life would, probably, be taken for every stone thrown! He then thanked me for my forbearance, and, I imagine, was glad when he found himself again with his tea party.