Tansui, 7th Oct., 1884. record of certain ing, and Amoy by the During the afternoon we observed that-although it was apparently washing day" on board La Galissonitre and other vessels of the fleet, preparations were going on, which were tuimistakeuble. boats from various ships were lowered, although no firing to spank of.was g on, everything betokened that a desi on'Taméui by way of the Downs was b contemplated. Several of the to the north of the entrance of the river were anchored as close inshore as they could get, and the Admiral ind apparently m vod his fag from La Galis'oniére to one of the other vessels, temporarily, as was discovered afterwards, Nothing, howe ever, occurred beyond a few shots, heard to the northward, which had a mulled sort of sound. Little did we immgiue (although every one was sure that before long we should be in the mider of it again) that we were on the eve of second bombard: accompanied by a landing of troops this time, Lamsui, 8th October, At about 8 a.m, the early birds," with unoculars adjusted, lind observed various na of extra activity amonget the shipping, and before an hour had slipped away, and just as we were sitting down to a9 o'clock breakfast, the booming of cannon, from every ship, carried our recollections book at once tu the 2ad instant, and one and all decided that the French, after a long five days? comparative rest, had determined to succeed in not only forcing a landing but carrying the place by storm. Dark look-transports were in view, and rs on shore, who had put forth, ning we should ave Nameui taker and the hordes of Ohinese soldiers ped all over the place, driven past the limits of the port. We thought that if we could get over the storming of Babel without being plundered and attacked by the Chi oldiers or looters, or without any blunder on the part of Algerian or Annamite who might not respect European resi the last scones of clour of should f tricolour and under the newly appel Town Major and staff, whose power would toon be establish Alas! we. wera doomed to disappoitinont, and although many of us have been trading here qui and comfortably, and living in un turbed pence and' quietness for yours, we longed for a settlement one way or the and, knowing that in the long run must win, most forei hoping for victory to the Fr same time we all General Soov, who line b throughout, would be spare joy the honours which must be ered down on him later ov, whether subsequent defeat follows or not. Soon in regularly beloved by the soldiers he has commanded here since the Tap: trouble of 1874, and although old troops have been deaffed Keelung-wards, his influence is very groat over the aoldi¢ry here of all kinds; and it is to him we owe our anfety during the past for months from n order more than to any other a genial man and fond of foreign food and liquors, especially of champagne, and curagoa, and has proved himself to be a gentleman by knowing how to carry hi General Soon gave out last night to certain friends.who have access to him that he would die rather than retreat from his post. His pi would be to keep his men out of sight i all sorts of cover (scattered all over the downs) until the French came within shot then they had orde 6 to fire and fight like heroes.
At a little after 9 a.m, the. French commenced firing with their heavy and if the cannonading was not qui
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.