_February 26th._--To-morrow this letter goes, and still no mail from England. I think of starting in a few days, and calling at the other ports--Foochow, Amoy, and Ningpo. I have a line from Oliphant, who took up my letter to Shanghae, and made a quick though rough passage. We shall be a good deal longer on the way, and my captain advises me to be off, to anticipate the equinox. I have just written a despatch to Lord Clarendon, to tell him that perhaps I may go direct from Shanghae to Japan, and so home. It is almost too good a prospect to be realised. [Sidenote: Home news.] _February 27th_.--I had Reed to dine with me yesterday. He is off this morning to Manila, _en route_ for Shanghae. The Russian returns on Monday, and we are going to Shanghae by the same route most fraternally.... Your accounts of the boys make me feel as if I had been an age away from home. God grant that I may get through this business soon, and return to find you all flourishing! _March 1st_.--I received your letters yesterday.... How I wish that I had joined that merry dance on Christmas Day at Dunmore, and seen B. and R. performing their reel steps, and F.[2] snapping his fingers! You knew now how differently my New Year was passed--traversing that vast city of the dead--meditating over that 28th December which Herod had already hallowed.... These letters are my conscience and memory, the only record I keep of passing emotions and events.... Depend upon it the true doctrine is one I have before propounded to you: Do nothing with which your own conscience can reproach you; _nothing_ in its largest sense; _nothing_, including _omission_ as well as _commission_; not nothing only in the meaning of having done no ill, but nothing also in the meaning of having omitted no opportunity of doing good. You are then _well with yourself_. If it is worth while to be well _with others_--SUCCEED. [Sidenote: Swatow.]