Inspected _Ocean_. It is difficult to imagine a cleaner or more perfect man-of-war. Hard lines, the depriving me of my flagship! Dined with the Normans in their barrack hut; every exertion made by kind hostess to make us enjoy our visit, in which she perfectly succeeded. At the door on way home met a youngster with our mail from England. [Sidenote: Yokohama.] In noting events it is odd I should have omitted the severest shock of earthquake that I had experienced. It occurred at 4 P.M. on Monday. I was sitting at the Legation talking with Risk. The house shook violently for a quarter of a minute, and after the lapse of a few seconds went on again, with sounds of cracking and groaning. Keppel Garnier was with May at the Marshalls: the bells rang, the house cracked, and the broken mortar was heard tumbling inside the walls. Mrs. Marshall seized her baby, and Garnier, May; both rushed out on to the lawn; raining hard. At the Club, billiard balls rolled about, and the Japs deserted the house. The mail did not bring much important news. It was in contemplation at the Admiralty to submit the names of certain Admirals for the distinction of Grand Cross of the Bath on Her Majesty’s birthday. Friend Beauchamp Seymour informs me that, owing to the Commodore not waiting for the Viceroy’s contingent for the attack on the villages at Swatow, my name is not to be sent in! Inspected _Cormorant_, a fit pendant to the _Ocean_. Poor Brand has earned his promotion, if the order of his ship is any criterion. [Sidenote: June 14.] Early telegraph this morning from _Rodney_: “Many happy returns of the day to Commander-in-Chief” from captain and officers. Signalled back “Many and grateful thanks.” Parkes arrived in evening, having ridden from Yedo. An 8.30 dinner: glad to see my friend so well. Most of the naval officers and other friends called in the course of the day to congratulate me on my natal day. [Sidenote: June 16.] Having returned all garrison calls, visited the Foreign Ministers yesterday. The American Minister, a General, had read the name of his successor--the only intimation that he was to be relieved. How pleasantly governments do things! Parkes is the only minister who has courage enough to take up his residence among these turbulent people! Yesterday, having arranged with Parkes to go to Yedo with him, found a horse and escort waiting for me at Kanagava. Without hurrying, caught up Sir Harry at a half-way tea-house. We were ferried over the River Rokugo. The supports for a bridge were standing, one having been built last year for the Mikado, who was on his way from Osaka to Yedo, and afterwards pulled down, so that no one else could take advantage of it.