Got out in the evening yesterday for a ride with Colin. Had Algie Heneage to dinner, Bamber, Woodruffe, Ogle, and Simley. As _Cormorant_ was going to the northward, made her signal to weigh and take us in tow. As we got away, _Ocean_ manned rigging and yards to the very trucks. They used aloft, with pretty effect, small boat flags, and gave three hearty cheers to the parting ship, such as Britishers only give. The American Admiral and Italian ships likewise gave parting cheers. After luncheon with Algie Heneage, some four miles from the anchorage we bade the old _Rodney_ farewell. It is seldom that relationship has the same hold on a sailor’s affections as that of a shipmate. They manned the rigging and repeated hearty parting cheers. After we had quitted her, the flag was transferred to _Ocean_ and saluted by _Rodney_. French mail in. Article in _Saturday Review_, May 29, on “English Policy” in China refers to the actions of Gurdon and Domville at Swatow and Formosa last year. Local papers defend my policy. CHAPTER CI THE CHINA COMMAND [Sidenote: 1869. Flag in _Ocean_, July 31.] Our band played on the Bund, no better in the Far East! Japs making great preparations to receive the Duke of Edinburgh. [Sidenote: Yokohama, Aug. 2.] Parkes and M‘Lay come to dine. Much talk on China affairs; few people better able to form an opinion than our two guests. All agreed how lamentably misinformed our Government is. [Sidenote: Aug. 4.] Fine weather at last. Madame and Mademoiselle Bertrand, Parkes, and Newton dined with us. In the night we were disturbed by a row in the domestic department. A big negro caulker had been visiting in the village, and returned at 3 A.M., having been rolled in the mud a foot deep. He made for the kitchen, where his appearance terrified the Chinese cook, who gave the alarm of thieves. On the animal being removed to his ship, he admitted to its having been caused by keeping low company, as if there could be anything lower than himself. He had affected while on board a religious turn of mind. _Sylvia_ arrived yesterday, and Brooker, who called this morning, proposed a party on board his ship to visit “Die Boots.” [Sidenote: Aug. 6.] Starting at an early hour to go on board _Sylvia_, was unable to finish remarks for preceding day. On 4th, while at dinner, a gun announced the arrival of English mail. Having seen telegrams in both American and French up to 3rd July, my mind was set at rest about chance of promotion and relief, the mail bringing news up to June 18, which pronounced “Admirals Firm.” The last thing that caught my eye was a small envelope with “_Telegraph_” in the corner, which sure enough contained all that I had been dreading for a year. It was from the Admiralty, July 3, and commenced with, “You are promoted”: it ordered me to Singapore to meet my relief, who would be there on September 3.