Sir Roderick put up at the British Consulate; there was not a spare room for me, and, as such a convenience as an hotel is not to be found outside of Shanghai, a good Samaritan, H. F. R——, took compassion on me, when I met him on the race-course, invited me to make his house my house, and for the remainder of the time we stayed in Hankow generously provided for all my wants.

The second day of our visit Her Britannic Majesty's Consul gave a dinner-party to as many of his friends as he could muster on so short a notice.

Among his guests were the Russian and American Consuls, several merchants and their wives, and others. Altogether we sat down twenty to a remarkably good dinner, with pleasant and cheerful companions.

Shortly after we had finished consuming all the good things that had been provided for our entertainment, and the ladies had withdrawn, one of the house coolies, in a half-frantic state, rushed into the room, with the information that the house was on fire.

It was true enough, for as soon as he opened the door, the smoke poured in; the staircase was in flames, caused by the bursting of a very large kerosine oil lamp hung at the junction of the dividing staircase, and intended to light two sets of stairs. The blazing oil was running in a broad stream of fire down the stairs, looking very effective and extremely pretty, a cascade of fire, if such a thing could be.