1859.11.06 Peter *

6 Nov 59 Peter Hong Kong Mother

Hong Kong 6 Nov 1859

My dear Mother

Ere you receive this, the small case which I sent by last mail will probably have reached you. It may not, for they very often detain them on the way & in that case my letter describing the various

items will – as it should properly speaking have done – arrive first. I had intended sending a rather larger collection but had been over & over again disappointed about the box & it was only at about

4 o’clock in the morning that the steamer was to leave that, waking rather early, the thought occurred to me that a small box I had by me would do – for a portion, at any rate, of them.

The Japanese scarfs I think you will admire very much. They are curious at any rate & are thoroughly good, being apparently of a sort of silken material. There is a sort of tray of Japan ware by

which you will observe the style of the Japanese lacquered ware, which is the best going. I have had this tray some little time by me here, together with a few other Japanese things which I had

intended sending. The two books of Rice Pictures are very good: the one representing all the ceremonies attendant upon a marriage, the other a funeral. Then there are Helen’s set of tea things for her

‘small tea parties’, which may be all arranged – the cups in front, the teapot, milk jug & sugar basin behind – upon the small china tray to match.

There is the rude Japanese who shakes his hands & puts his tongue out. There is another small teapot for somebody. There are some very good silk handkerchiefs & there are a quantity of counters

such as you asked me for. The good ones are very expensive – I forget how much & the common ones, which are very common, cost about half a crown a hundred. There is also a peach stone

bracelet set in gold, of Canton manufacture & a fan which I think you will like & in which I am indebted to you from last year. I don’t know whether the sandalwood or ivory handles are

handsomest. I think I like the sandalwood best, but it is quite a matter of taste. The fan is also of Canton manufacture. This is all I can recollect except by the bye a pair of Chinese slippers which

may be a novelty for my father.

I have lately had a very handsome Skye terrier presented to me & we are very constant companions. I call her ‘Dora’ after the name of the ship, the captain of which gave her to me. Two of my

companions – one being ill, the other absent – have requested me to look after their dogs, so that I go out every day walking with a whole tribe of the canine race with barkings fearful.

The weather is getting beautifully cool here now. I am able to go out for a morning’s walk, which I enjoy immensely. It does me good in every way & sets me up in body & in spirits too, which I

want, sadly.

You mention in one of your letters that John had sent you home a portrait of himself. I expect very shortly to be able to do the same, one of our people here having taken to photography & having

proved very successful. As it is however only private practice – and as there is very little opportunity & time for any literal practice, you must not expect much of a picture so long as it is a portrait. I

sat for a negative on glass today & tomorrow we shall see what it is like. I daresay you will be surprised at finding me so much like myself still. Instead of wearing a pigtail or some other barbarous

device, such as might be expected from a lengthened residence in China.

We are all very much interested as to what is going to be done here about the Peiho * affair, but I never mention these matters as you see them all in your papers. The China Mail I am quite disgusted

with & so is everybody. It will fall to the ground now that Sir John Bowring & his protection has gone. I shall certainly stop it at the end of the year & see if I cannot substitute one of the others for it.

Nov 13

My portrait is to a certain extent a failure: that is to say, it is very indistinct. The dark portions of the figure have come out very well but the light parts haven’t, so that of course my face, which is the

point required, presents a very imperfect likeness. On the whole, it isn’t worth sending you unless we can take a better one some day. Our photographic friend was very successful with some of his

first portraits but doesn’t get on so well now.

No mail yet. An extra steamer has arrived & brought us all the news, but not the letters. I want to write to my Father but am putting it off in expectation of getting a letter from him first, for the mail

has been due these two days. We have heard at last that we are going to avenge the Peiho disgrace & I hope we shall do so most fully. It ought to be done suddenly & they ought to surprise Pekin &

cut off the Emperor before he has time to escape into Tartary. If they could catch him, what fun it would be & how it would open the eyes of the Chinese as to his Duty, for I suppose you know that

he is looked upon by his people as a God & actually worshiped.

I have sent home in the ‘Canaan’ a box of Chinese toys, which it may be as well to look after tho’ they are not worth much trouble. They are a mere trifle of no value & I asked the Capt. to forward

them to you on arrival. But I am afraid that if you ever do get them, they will be spoiled on the voyage. I presume that Helen will be getting above these things. So, if so, they will do for some of the

younger branches of the family.

Last mail brought me neither letters nor papers – except one from Mary which pleased me very much. Oh, if people only knew how much we have to endure out here – away from friends, from home

& every comfort – myself especially. How careful they would be not to add fuel to the fire.

Give little Helen her usual kiss from me & I hope she will like the tea things.

Your affect Son

Peter G Laurie

* Peiho – The mouth of the Pei-ho (now Hai) River 100 miles downstream from Pekin (now Beijing) was, in reaction to the First Opium War (1839-42), protected by a substantial defensive barrier. In June 1859 an Anglo-French force failed to suppress the forts, and was disastrously repelled. However, in July 1860 a much larger Anglo-French force attacked and overcame the defenders – the final battle in the Second Opium War