47 o Voyage of the Novara. 



A variety of circumstances, however, may have contri- 

 buted to make the Baron less susceptible to every other thing 

 than his everlasting "I." Baron Gros had in fact been sub- 



The first named is a strong, corpulent man of about 45 ; the latter is much older, and 

 seemed very much dejected; he has however just recovered from sickness, which may 

 account for it. After the ceremonies of signing and sealing had been gone through, 

 they all partook of refreshments provided by the Mandarin. Lord Elgin proposed 

 a toast to the health of the Emperor of China, and to the future friendship of the two 

 nations, which was responded to by the Mandarins. Shortly after the assembly 

 broke up, and we all marched home to the excellent music of the flag-ship's band 

 and the bugles of the marines. The whole affair lasted about three hours and r. half. 

 It was full moon, and a splendid night. 



" June 27th. — This afternoon the treaty with the French was signed. Returned to 

 their ships by torch-light, port-fires, &c. &c. Ki-ying, the Mandarin who assisted 

 in bringing about the treaty, was sentenced to be decapitated, as he was blamed for 

 opening the door to the barbarians, but he has since been pardoned." 



" July 3rd. — News came from Pekin that Ki-ying has committed suicide by cutting 

 his throat." 



" July 4th. — Themiometer 96° on board, despite awnings and sprinkling the roof of 

 the wheel-house with water ! " 



" July 6th. — Left Tien-Tsin. After a long, tedious, and tiresome passage of 15 days 

 we reached Shanghai once more on 21st July, all well. 



" Price of provisions at Tien-Tsin. as contracted for on 2'^th May, for the supply of 

 the English fleet : — 



Oxen (average weight 4 piculs, or 533 lbs.), the carcase ... .$10 



Sheep, „ ... 2 



Hens, ... ... ... ... ... per dozen ... 1 



Geese and ducks, ... ... „ ... 2 



Eggs, ... ... ... per thousand ... 3 



Vegetables, picul=133| lbs. ... 1.50 



Rice, ... ... ... ... .,. ,, ... 5 



Sugar, ... ... ... ... ... „ ... 6 



Yams, per dozen ... 1 



Pears, ... ... ... ... ... per hundred ... 1 



Apples, „ ... L50 



Ice, ... ... ... ... ... per lb. ... 16 



" All articles to be delivered of the best quality. The prices are reckoned in Ame- 

 rican dollars. Every morning a boat was sent off' to the Coromandel, on board which 

 the purchases took },lace." 



