On 7th I go over in _Sylvia_ to visit and consult with Minister at Osaka. Land at foreign settlement, where we find horses to ride (4 miles) to the Legation. On coming on to the open space that surrounds the castle, met a number of troops arriving in various and curious costumes. These proved to be the Tycoon’s guard and retainers, he having retreated from his castle at Miako; the subsequent explanation of which was that Satsuma had surrounded the Mikado’s Palace with his troops, and thereby was in possession of the Mikado’s person: representing the seat of government. The Tycoon stated he had removed his troops at the order of the Mikado. Mikado is a child, but Satsuma had placed his own people as the advisers of the crown, and the Tycoon, too patriotic to shed blood and plunge his country into civil war, retired to his castle at Osaka. I expect that the Tycoon is not deficient in courage; among the Japanese I have not seen a man more princely and determined, a good-looking man, apparently about thirty years of age. He, I think, is aware of much discontent among Prince Satsuma’s followers; their swaggering and overbearing manner causes them to be hated by the inhabitants; they are some 300 miles from home, and when food gets scarce will have to disperse. The Tycoon will “bide his time,” and eventually be recalled when they cannot do without him. The foreign ministers waited on the Tycoon, and received in reply an explanation worthy of a more civilised nation! [Sidenote: Jan. 9.] On Thursday 9th we were to return to Hiogo by the _Sylvia_, having had the _Rodney’s_ steam launch sent to the settlement to take us over the bar. Owing to a continued fall of rain and difficulty in getting coolies, it was late in the afternoon before we got away from the Legation. We, a large party, consisting of Captains Stanhope and Brooker, Mitford, Attaché, Captain Gibbs, Harry Stephenson, Adolphus Crosbie, Bradshaw of 9th Regiment, my servant Fuller and others, descended the river in native boats from a creek at the back of the Legation. On arriving at the settlement we found a fresh breeze from southward and a ripple on the water, although 2 miles from the mouth, sufficient to show that the bar would not be quite smooth. In addition to _Rodney’s_ launch we had the steam cutter of the _Sylvia_, which we took in tow. By the time we reached the mouth of the river it was too dark to judge of the state of the bar, although we could plainly see the white tops of the waves against the darkness beyond. We could also discern the ships-of-war at anchor outside. [Sidenote: Corvé Bay.]