TUNG-CHOW. 
ill 
faces. As we were not in a humour to indulge their curiosity, many 
of their lanterns coming in contact with our feet, were sacrificed to 
our irritability. Beyond the suburbs, we again got upon the paved 
road, and travelling along it at a fast trot, felt the sensation of conti- 
nual dislocation and replacement in every joint of our bodies. About 
twelve o’clock many of the Embassy halted in a heavy rain at the 
house in which we had received our strange entertainment the night 
before. Neither shelter nor refreshment being now provided, we took 
refuge in our carts ; and during their delay of an hour, obtained some 
-sleep, and then proceeded on our journey. At four in the morning 
we reached Tung-Chow, and gladly entered the boats ; which, in our 
present circumstances, had the attraction of homes. The buildings 
that had been occupied by the Commissioners were closed against us. 
The boatmen were much surprised at our sudden return, but 
received us joyfully and kindly. These men, who, in their ordinary 
habits of life, often suffer from hunger, and at all times feed on a 
meagre diet, had fared sumptuously on the redundant supplies of the 
Embassy. They had also experienced the liberality of individuals, and 
were for these reasons glad to see their benefactors so soon in a situa- 
tion to renew their services. They did not, however, fail to speculate 
amongst themselves on the cause of our sudden appearance, and to 
express their surprise at our escaping the wholesome correction of 
the bamboo, for our insolence in opposing the will of their mighty 
Emperor. Lord Amherst, Sir George Staunton, and the other gen- 
tlemen who travelled in chairs, did not arrive till some hours after the 
carts. The carriage with the sick was obliged to stop all night on the 
road, near Pekin, in consequence of not being supplied with either 
guides or torch-bearers. Many casualties had occurred on the journey. 
Several of the baggage-waggons had been upset, and much of the bag- 
gage was injured. But this was a slight grievance. One of His Lord- 
ship’s servants was nearly killed by the overturning of his cart, through 
the carelessness of his driver ; receiving in the fall a severe concus- 
sion of the brain, the effect of which still incapacitates him for his 
usual avocations. 
