Having received orders, while at Shanghai, to hold myself in readiness to proceed to Yunnan at a short notice, I set myself without delay to make such preparations as would enable me to start with dispatch, yet at the same time without definitely incurring an outlay in case of a countermand. The above intimation was received through Mr. Medhurst, on the 9th August, and on 15th and the 21st, I had the honour to receive full and confidential instructions from H. B. M. Minister, which directed me to start at once, and accordingly I left Shanghai on the night of Saturday 22nd for Hankow. Arrived at Kiukiang on the 25th, I remained at that port two days to consult with Mr. Vice-Consul King about the route, as directed in my instructions. This officer had recently ascended the Yangtsze to Chung-ching, and very readily gave me the benefit of his valuable observations, besides furnishing me with books and papers on the subject, including his own private diary of the trip.

August 28th, 1874.—Reached Hankow in exceptionally hot weather, and unfortunately in a very bad state of health, which continued for several days and retarded my final preparations. Mr. Consul Hughes had called upon the Viceroy with the letter from the Tsungli Yamen, and found H.E. had already received despatches from Peking on the subject of my trip.