George was to have come up here yesterday, but he found the Captain of the man-of-war and the Colonel of the regiment that are to start first were making out that they could not possibly sail on Monday; so he sent for them in the morning and made a row, and then asked them to dinner in the evening to keep up the impression, and got some knowledgeable people to meet them, and I suppose he will get them off in time. The Chinese news is already better since Charles and Sir Gordon came away. Sir H. Pottinger[511] began in the right way. The Chinese Commissioner wanted to see him at Canton; he said it was the Commissioner’s place to come to him at Macao. Now there is an expedition gone to Amoy. The Chinese by their proclamations seem thoroughly frightened. The General and all the Navy people seem to be in ecstasies at having somebody who will not stop all their fighting, and I should not be the least surprised if Sir H. Pottinger finished it all in six months, by merely making war in a common straightforward manner.
I suppose Fanny has told you of all Mrs. Elliot’s anger, and her expectations that Charles is to have titles and governments, etc., the instant he lands in England. She is quite right, poor thing! to take his part, though foolish to announce such expectations. But the change of Ministry may be of use to him. Otherwise, there never was a man, meaning well—which I really suppose he did—who has left such a fearful character behind him with everybody but the Chinese, who profess the greatest gratitude to him, as well they may. Your most affectionate
E. E.
[In March 1842, Lord Auckland and his sisters left India. After their four months’ voyage they settled down in a little whitewashed villa, Eden Lodge, Kensington Gore.
Lowther Lodge was built subsequently on this site, now occupied by the Geographical Society.]
CHAPTER XIII
1842-1849
Miss Eden to Lady Theresa Lister.
KNIGHTSBRIDGE,
Tuesday[1845].