Leaving the wife with the Medhursts at the Belle Vue Hotel, where the children already were--enjoying conjurer’s tricks--went on board _Galatea_ to assist the Prince in entertaining the Governor, then the Foreign Consuls, after them a deputation from the British community; after which the Prince left under a salute, ships present manning yards and masthead flags up. After a sumptuous luncheon with Consul and Mrs. Flowers, embarked, and landed higher up to return Governor’s visit, which we did, preceded by Jap guard with drums. Returned on board to a quiet dinner. Having witnessed some of the prettiest illuminations that can be imagined, the _Galatea_ twice lighted up with red, white, and blue from her yard-arms and row of ports, we proceeded to the _Adventure_, where the wife and my “only daughter” had preceded us, leaving Colin to the care of Webb. As soon as the Prince had heard of the above arrangement, he proposed dividing his staff and friends intended for the trip to Peking between _Adventure_ and ourselves, leaving _Galatea_ to complete coal and follow us at her leisure to Chefoo under sail. Elliot Yorke and Chevalier, the artist, and Mr. Porter, who had kindly undertaken to prepare the way to Peking for the Prince and party, went in the _Adventure_. [Sidenote: Sept. 26.] _Sabbath._--By 6 A.M. _Icarus_ had started under sail, _Adventure_ following, ready to give a tug across. On board _Galatea_ to breakfast. Inspection below, and Divine Service, which with fair singing appeared to be well conducted. Took a stroll through the porcelain shops, which do not hold with the Chinese, although the Japs excel in lacquer ware. Took an early dinner with the Prince, he having a shore appointment. Stanhope and I paid the Flowers a farewell visit. The Mikado had sent a few small presents to the Prince, and to me a jar of saki! [Sidenote: Sept. 27.] It was 2.30 P.M. before I got my passengers, consisting of the Prince, Stanhope, Haig, and Lord Charles Beresford on board. Weighed and stood out, cheered by _Dwarf_ and several merchant ships. [Sidenote: Chefoo, Sept. 30.] Came to, 2 P.M. Found _Icarus_. Elliot Yorke had gone in _Opossum_, leaving me and Mons. Chevalier. [Sidenote: Oct. 1.] Miller under way before daylight. Charles Scott joined our party. [Sidenote: Peiho River, Oct. 2.] Daylight found us off the bar, Peiho River, with the pilot, Mr. Band, coming alongside. Pronounced the bar passable at 10, when we forced her through the mud, Mr. Band going ahead full speed. At the usual place we came in contact with a tier of junks, but having left most of our boats behind, purposely, at Chefoo, we escaped with a broken gunnel, losing a small kedge anchor, and bent davits; Mr. Band consoling himself with a glass of grog.