22
C
15
23
· has now become as much amalgamated with the Chinese as were the Normans with the Saxons in a few generations after the Norman Conquest. Both these high Imperial officers received me, as the Governor of the neighbouring English Colony, with the most perfect respect and courtesy, and with much barbaric "pomp and circumstance". As I expressed a wish to see a parade of the Tartar soldiers, the General brought his Bodyguard of picked troops to be inspected by me in the Park attached to the English Yamun. They wore their picturesque national costume, but were armed with excellent rifles and sword bayonets of the most recent pattern. I may add that when the Consul and I, with the officers of my staff, were borne in the customary chairs of state to and from the Palaces of the Governor and the General, we were regarded with eager curiosity but with friendly respect, by the multitudes of the swarming Chinese population which lined the streets. There was not a single hostile or any hostile