Rougemont, “First” of _Ocean_, came in evening full of distress at a boat full of officers having been missing for two days, and without grub. Active and energetic steps immediately taken by Parkes: the Consular Establishment and whole escort put in motion, the Japanese Government despatching couriers by sea and land. It appeared afterwards that Rougemont had been living with Beato, and forgot that the missing might have returned in his absence from the ship, which, in fact, they had, and the whole of them had well fed and turned in an hour before this smart “First” gave this unnecessary alarm. Parkes indignant, and small blame to him. [Sidenote: Aug. 15.] Sabbath, and piping hot! We were enlivened by a royal salute in honour of the birthday of the Emperor Napoleon III., fired by the French ships in harbour. [Sidenote: Aug. 17.] Hot weather appears to have set in. The greatest nuisance one has to contend with by day, as well as by night, are the mosquitoes. [Sidenote: Aug. 19.] Our band played at Jardine’s on the afternoon of 17th, where I went to meet our letters on their landing from _Salamis_. Ascertained that the death of Admiral Bowles was the cause of my promotion. A telegram from Admiralty extending the time that I should meet my relief at Singapore to the 19th September. If they had taken that date into consideration at first, I might have been down there in time, but now the 19th will be as inconvenient as the 3rd September was a fortnight ago. The telegram also contained directions to assemble as large a naval force as practicable to be placed under Stanhope, but its destination could not be made out. No public news. Admiralty permission given to dispense with _razors!_ for which I am sorry. The death of Lieutenant Kent of the _Avon_ enabled me to promote Hammet (from _Rodney_), whose uncle was killed in the trenches before Sevastopol. Yesterday at 10 A.M. inspected _Adventure_; clean and wholesome. [Sidenote: Aug. 20.] Threatening weather: got wet through in our ride. Wilkinsons and Adams dined with us yesterday. Slight earthquake in afternoon. This morning a typhoon. [Sidenote: Sunday, Aug. 22.] The typhoon was sharp and short, but did considerable damage. Marshall’s house nearly unroofed. Lindo’s fanciful cottage blown down. Verandahs round soldiers’ huts blown up. American steamer, adrift, stove in _Salamis’s_ bows, carried away _Sylvia’s_ bowsprit, and did much more damage of less interest to me. Band played on the bluff. [Sidenote: Aug. 23.] Brooding over my wrongs and the want of consideration on the part of my friends the Admiralty in ordering me to Singapore against the monsoon, to give up the command to a successor and my junior, when he might so much more easily come up to me at a saving of £1700 worth of fuel! Another hot day. [Sidenote: Aug. 24.]