Peking seem to have been taken by surprise, equally with the other foreign residents in China, by this suddenly arranged Convention. Instructions would appear to have been sent by Telegraph direct from Paris to Admiral Lespès, commanding the French Naval Forces in China; for the new French Minister (M. Patenôtre) the successor of M. Tricou, is now only on his way out from Europe; while the Consul of France at Hongkong and a junior member of the French Legation at Peking, who happened to be here last week, both informed me that nothing of the Convention, and, indeed, when they first heard of it, expressed their disbelief. It is generally surmised here, rightly or wrongly, that France was desirous to arrive at a speedy settlement of her difficulties with China, so as to enjoy greater freedom of action in the event of complications arising in Europe, and in view of French policy with regard to Egypt.