299
or use as I think proper. There is a punka over the central table, where I shall take my meals; you cannot imagine how pleasant it is to be fanned all the while you are eating. There is an air pump, a large electric machine and apparatus, and a photographic apparatus, besides a magic lantern, so that there is plenty of amusement for me.
Tomorrow I set up on my own account. I have had to lay in a stock of clothes, which are enormously dear, and to get some earthenware and cutlery. If the bishop had only told me I could have got all at one-quarter the price in England. Provisions are generally speaking the same price as in England. Some of course dearer and some less.
I have a Chinese servant whose name is A-chee. He does not know one word of English. I have also a coolie under my control, who belongs to the college. Things are carried on here in a very strange manner; but I hope soon to get used to them. I feel very strange among strangers who cannot understand what I say to them. My Chinese is but of little use that I learned; in fact I never use it at all.
Yesterday I went to the ship and brought away the bishop's two boxes he gave to my care. During the night the crew had a mutiny, and the captain and mate could only preserve their lives by walking about with loaded pistols in their hands. I thought the crew would do so if they possessed English blood. Captain Moate very meanly wrote a letter to be read at the trial, giving the captain an excellent character. Consequently the men can get no discharge, nor redress of grievances and injuries. He wants me to come and testify to the truth of the letter; but I shall not do so till summoned by the authorities, and then I will expose his barbarity. I expect him every moment to come and fetch me.
The climate of Hong Kong is excessively hot. The amount of perspiration I throw off in a day is something considerable. But the consolation is that in a few weeks it will be cool and agreeable enough, I am thankful for the enjoyment of good health and strength and can endure it all very well. If I can get on till the middle of September, all will be right enough. If you could see me, you would see a great brown red-faced fellow, moustache and whiskers enormous, quite enough to terrify the natives, who do really appear afraid of me.
Anna's letter did me a world of good. Poor girl, it makes me wretched to think of her having to work so hard at Teignmouth, and that she