[7] The British subjects thus restored were Mr. Parkes, Mr. Loch, and a
    trooper of Probyn’s Horse; the French subjects were M. l’Escayrac de
    Lauture, who was at the head of a scientific mission, and four
    soldiers.

[8] In a subsequent letter, Lord Elgin paid to Mr. Parkes this well-merited
    tribute.  ‘Mr. Parkes’ consistent refusal to purchase his own safety by
    making any pledges, or even by addressing to me any representations
    which might have embarrassed me in the discharge of my duty, is a rare
    example of courage and devotion to the public interest; and the course
    which he followed in this respect, by leaving my hands free, enabled
    me to work out the policy which was best calculated to secure his own
    release, as well as the attainment of the national objects entrusted
    to my care.’

[9] The language used by Mr. Bruce, in reporting to the Foreign Office Mr.
    De Norman’s death, is still more striking; and it has an additional
    interest as being eminently characteristic of the writer:  ’It has not
    been my fortune,’ he says, ’to meet with a man whose life was so much
    in harmony with the Divine precept, “not slothful in business, serving
    the Lord.”  With a consistency unparalleled in my experience he brought
    to bear on the discharge of every duty, and to the investigation of
    every subject however minute, the complete and undivided attention of
    the sound abilities, the good sense, and the indefatigable industry
    with which God had endowed him.  A character so morally and
    intellectually conscientious, striving to do everything in the most
    perfect manner, neglecting no opportunity of acquiring fresh and of
    consolidating previous knowledge, promised a career honourable to
    himself, and, what he valued far more, advantageous to the public, had
    it pleased God to spare him.

    ’Now there remains to those who knew him intimately only this
    consoling conviction, that death, however sudden, could not find him
    unprepared.’

[10] The only English prisoner ultimately unaccounted for was Captain
    Brabazon, Deputy-Assistant Quarter-Master-General of Artillery, an
    officer whose finished talent and skill in drawing had often been of
    the greatest service in taking sketches of the country for the
    military operations.  His body was never found; but it was believed
    that he had been beheaded by order of a Chinese General in his
    exasperation at a wound received in the action of the 21st of October.

[11] A well-known Protestant M.P.

[12] Mr. Adkins.

CHAPTER XIV.

SECOND MISSION TO CHINA.  HOMEWARD.

LEAVING THE GULF—­DETENTION AT SHANGHAE—­KOWLOON—­ADIEU TO CHINA—­ISLAND OF
LUZON—­CHURCHES—­GOVERNMENT—­MANUFACTURES—­GENERAL CONDITION—­ISLAND OF
JAVA—­BUITENZORG—­BANTONG—­VOLCANO—­SOIREES—­RETROSPECT—­CEYLON—­THE
MEDITERRANEAN—­ENGLAND—­WARM RECEPTION—­DUNFERMLINE—­ROYAL ACADEMY DINNER—­
MANSION HOUSE DINNER.