Shifted flag from _Rattler_ on board _Manila_. At noon sailed, having written the Commodore of my intention to go to Nagasaki, which may reach Hong-Kong in time to save his going to Shanghai. Yesterday the Fitzroys had a dinner party, including the Minister, the _attaché_, Conolly, Wade, and Commander Swan. Birds’-nest soup. [Illustration: _Sir Rutherford Alcock._] Had conversation with Sir Rutherford as to the next steps towards the suppression of piracy. We agreed that the disarming, as far as heavy guns were concerned, of all traders was necessary. He thought the Chinese Government were sincere in their expressed wish to put it down. The promised co-operation with other European Powers is necessary to prevent jealousies. In searching junks for guns the presence of a responsible Chinese authority necessary. Respectable interpreters should be found for our cruisers. After I have consulted with my brother Admirals of France and United States, Russia, Prussia and Netherlands too, if I can get them, intend to address Sir Rutherford on the subject, and get them to do likewise to their respective Ministers. Sir Rutherford agreed with me that the small Portuguese settlement of Macao was a nuisance--the haunt of pirates: the centre of that diabolical trade in kidnapped coolies, worse in its features than the traffic in slaves. Besides, the Portuguese have no legal right to Macao. To enjoy a visit to Peking one should go up about the middle of September, so as to have a walk on the hills where all the Foreign Ministers reside during the hottest of weather, returning to Pekin the last week in that month. Mr. Conolly seemed to think that he could easily obtain some of the crossoptalon, the species of pheasant so coveted by Lord de Grey. [Sidenote: Nagasaki, June 18.] Entered the deep bay which forms the beautiful harbour of Nagasaki. Feeling still invalidy, took advantage of a lull to land in a boat brought off from shore by Mr. Alt, and proceeded at once to his prettily-situated residence high up on the side of a hill. Flag was shifted to _Pelorus_. [Sidenote: Flag in _Pelorus_, June 30.] On 24th the weather held up and we formed a riding party of six--Haswell, Risk, Lindau, Norton, Alt, and self--and landed where the ponies had been sent, and rode to the village of Tokito. Nothing can be prettier than the scenery, while every available flat was under cultivation, chiefly padi; the fields, with their mud banks, were small, but the irrigation perfect. Natives simple and civil to a degree. The village, prettily situated on the bank of what appeared to be an inland sea, was inhabited by fishermen. Our ponies were entire and savage, kicking each other whenever opportunity offered; roads not much near Nagasaki, but particularly good when we got within Prince of Omera’s territory.