undertaken; but my narrative was written under the belief that no connected account of the expe.dition was in contemplation, and on my return home I had not the resolution to commit my book to the flames. I have felt it to be in better taste not to bring before the public any especial mention of the working of my own department during the war; not that I do not entertain a full sense of its great importance, or that I am not disposed duly to "magnify mine office;" but because anything that might savour of egotism is to be avoided by all, and especially by one who at all events ought to be a teacher. I say this, because some persons might expect from me a work of a character not so secular. I have been truly glad to give praise when, in my opinion, it was deserved, and have endeavoured to be silent where there appeared cause for censure; leaving the task of fault-finding to others to whom it may be more grateful than it is to me, being quite aware that a hasty or ill-formed judgment may be, and often is, very unjust, and if promulgated may inflict a wound and an injury which it may never be possible to repair or to heal. No doubt the censorious are a useful class of people; I have no ambition, however, to share either their pleasures or their toils. If offence should be given to any person by any. thing which is here related, my apology is that it was utterly unintentional. My narrative has been written without much arrangement or plan; in part, because for this purpose moments were taken from days of anxious occupation, when I was obliged to be contented to put down the recollections that came unbidden at such times; and all who have been in China can testify that the climate often renders it necessary to do as you can, rather than as you would. DUBLIN, June, 1862. CONTENTS. Hong Kong Hospitality of the Troops-Head Quarters-Kow- loong-Rudeness of a Naval Officer-Probyn's and Fane's Horse-Tent pegging-Siwhan'-The Military Train- The Coolie Corps-Regimental Transport-The Happy Valley-The Cemetery and the Race Course-Jardine's The Loss of the Transport Assistance'-Shanghai-The Na- tive Boat- Chow Chow' Water-The Church Mission- Leave Shanghai-Chusan-Our Allies-Pootoo-Beauty of the Scenery-Buddhist Temples-Hong Kong-Talienwhan- The Fleet-The Scenery-Heat and Drought-Difficulty in procuring Country Produce-Confusion amongst the Supplies The Shooting of the Neighbourhood—Our Ride Weighed Anchor for Pekin-Landing-Our Bivouac-Cock- roach Broth-Colonel Anson-Arrived at Petang-Land- Reconnaissance-Leave Petang-The Cavalry-Advance of the Allied Forces - The Tartars desert their Camp-The Second Division-The Tartars charge our Guns-The Tartar Soldier's Hut-Prisoners-Lines on Moyse's Death Preparations-Trench Digging-Attack on Tankoo strong Guns-Floods in the Camp-Bridge over the Peiho -Dead Animals-Reconnaissance-Breakfast among the Grapes-Deserted Works - Mr. Parkes, C.B.-Skirmishing Recovery of Guns taken in 1859-The Wounded-Surrender of the South Forts-Favourable Weather-Wet Tents Gardens "Great Kings"-Up the Peiho-Diplomacy-Ad- vance on Pekin - Transport A Morning's March-A Bantam Cock-Hooseewoo-Grapes-Advance from Hoo- WOO - Chinese Treachery-Walker's Escape - Our Sur- |