tossing about going on, while lying at anchor for the last three days at Matsou, and much misery among the poor cadets, many of whom have been very sick, and very sorry for themselves in consequence. He is very anxious about the result of this first cruise, some of his cadets not being at all adapted, either mentally or physically, for a sea life, and already one of them has been declared guilty of feigning ill health, as a plea for staying at home. The perseverance of the youth, however, is worthy of a better cause, for directly the ship got outside the harbour, and away from medical supervision, he so evidently made up his mind "to lie down and die" that the Chinese Monitor of the school became alarmed, and entreated that he might be sent on shore in the pilot-boat, at which the authorities are very angry, and intend charging the expense of his being landed, between the home-sick youth and his too compassionate superior. A good many of the lads who have been, as it were, draughted into the Training Ship, though glad to profit by the education afforded them by the English Naval School on shore, are taken from a class who look on any kind of physical exertion as a degradation. With regard to these, therefore, H. finds himself in a somewhat similar position to

the children of Israel, when they were told to

make bricks without straw!

LETTER XXX.

FOO-CHOW, August 14th.

I am now staying with Mr and Mrs G.,—they having kindly come to the Arsenal to escort me here last Wednesday.

The unusually cool weather and charming breeze from the N.E. ended a few days ago in a Typhoon. We were at the time at a neighbour's house which stands in a more exposed situation than this. Doors and windows crashed in all directions, and the poor trees seemed about to be torn up by the roots; a bit of glass from a window was driven nearly an inch into the rosewood case of the piano, which will give you some idea of the force of the wind, and yet I am told we only experienced the edge of the storm here. When the first tremendous gust came, one's breath seemed absolutely to be blown away, for truly it was a violent seasoning to the idea of a husband afloat on the wild waves.

It was vain to think of returning home in our chairs, as they would at once have been shipwrecked, so when the storm lulled we abandoned

them and our hats-made fast our chignons, by tying a handkerchief firmly over our heads, and succeeded, with some male assistance, in getting safely back.

LETTER XXXI.

ARSENAL, 5th September, 187

A letter from H. dated Chefoo, and reporting "all well!"

Now the good news has come, and we know the ship is safe, I find there have been all manner of evil rumours afloat regarding her-one story proceeding so far as to say that she had been seen "bottom upwards." I have much reason to be grateful not only to our European neighbours, who have so carefully guarded my ears from reports which would have made me so unhappy, but also to the gentle consideration of my Chinese servants. It seems many of the wives of the crew had been to the house trying to see me about these reports, but one only escaped the vigilant watch kept over my peace of mind by my excellent " Boy Boy" and "Amah." She, poor woman, appeared. suddenly in my room. one morning while I was dressing, having effected her entrance by creeping under the half door.

She was in great distress, for she said, "one man have talkee me that ship go down, my no can takee chow-chow, my too muchee sick." Her anxiety thus simply expressed was very touching. I told her how improbable it was that "any man" could know such bad news, and it yet remain unknown to the authorities of the Arsenal, which assurance accompanied by the sympathy I so well could give, seemed to console her, especially as I invited her to pay me another visit after the next steamer from the north came in, that she might hear what intelligence it brought, so now my friend and I can rejoice together.

You seem surprised at my having felt no alarm at the prospect of being left alone in this strange land: but the traits of character I have just given will show you that the "heathen Chinee" is capable of strong human affection, as well as much kindly feeling, and I have every reason to believe that the latter is the prevailing sentiment in my small household. Therefore with the faithful "Scuttle " to bark at the approach of any stranger—a "ladder of ropes" by which to escape if the house takes fire a large bell with which to summon friends to the rescue in case of need, no safer abode than this could be desired.

LETTER XXXII.

24th October 187

Three long anxious months had passed when on Sunday last about 4 p.m., various "chits" arrived to say the training ship was in sight. While thoughtful "Boy" armed himself with my opera glasses, I put on my hat and sped to the top of the hill, reaching my point of observation just in time to see the "Kien Wei" coming up the river under full sail. In a few minutes she closed her wings instantaneously as if by magic-anchored -swung round-a smart, well dressed crew scampered up her rigging-sails were furledboats hoisted out-yards squared-all was done in nearly as little time as I take to write it. Then she looked as trim, orderly, and quiet, as if she was an English man-of-war that had been lying in port all day, except that she was surrounded by swarms of sanpans containing the grandparents and parents-wives, sisters, and children of her crew, shouting and gesticulating in a manner that seems inherent in the Chinese, and perfectly irrepressible in moments of excitement.

It was not till some hours later that her commander could come on shore, but you can imagine what a joyous meeting then took place. One