CHAPTER LXXXIV
THE COMMAND IN CHINA
[Sidenote: 1866. Dec. 13.]
I insert the following by kind permission:--
(_Private._) OAKLEY PARK, SCOLE, NORFOLK, _December 12, 1866_.
MY DEAR SIR HENRY--I am glad to be able to tell you that I received a letter from Sir John Pakington this morning, announcing his intention of offering you, with the Queen’s approval, the China Command, as Admiral King is going to give up, and I am only too happy if I have in any small way been the means of getting Sir John to give you this Command.
Both he and the whole Admiralty are very well disposed towards you, and I am sure that you will do all in your power to show them that you are anxious to distinguish yourself during this Command, as you always have done on previous occasions.--Believe me, yours very sincerely, (Signed) ALBERT EDWARD.
God bless the Prince of Wales!
A letter from Sir John Pakington followed.
The gratification this afforded me I cannot well describe. The five long years’ treatment I had received at the hands of the Admiralty fretted me.
The want of a residence, the unhealthiness of Hong-Kong, as well as the improbability of the flagship remaining there for more than a few days at a time, now that a Commodore has been appointed: the unsettled state of our relations with Japan, as well as the uncertainty of the period that I might retain the Command (being only five from the top of the list of Vice-Admirals), were only a few of the difficulties of a wife in China. However, I persuaded her to give up all idea of going with me, promising, if at the end of my first year there were two Vice-Admirals on the list above me, she might come out with the children.
Letters of congratulation flowed in from kind friends. From the Prince of Wales; dear Dean Garnier; one from Charles Kingsley, which much pleased me.
(_Copy_) EVERSLEY RECTORY, WINCHFIELD, _December 17, 1866_.
MY DEAR ADMIRAL--I have this moment heard that you are to have the China Squadron. Accept my most cordial congratulations, most disinterested ones, likewise, for I am afraid that I shall not have the pleasure of seeing you for some time to come. May you prosper and enjoy yourself as you deserve, and kill a few more pirates: they seem to be wanting you again in those parts. Believe me, with most kind regards to Lady Keppel, ever yours, overjoyed,
(Signed) C. KINGSLEY.
Letters from shipmates, down to my old steward, William White, now an Admiralty messenger, came pouring in, together with applications from and about officers to be appointed, giving me more than enough to do. Besides the Prince of Wales, the Dukes of Buccleuch and Richmond, as well as my kind kinsman, Peregrine Cust, interested themselves in getting me employment.
King, in command in China, had expressed a wish to be relieved without delay. His flagship, the _Princess Royal_, was ordered down to Singapore so as to save the last of the northerly monsoon, bringing the _Salamis_, commanded by my old friend and shipmate, Francis Suttie, to receive my flag.
I was ordered a passage by the overland route, to leave Southampton on February 20, 1867. Risk, paymaster in the _Alert_, then in the Pacific, and Harry Stephenson, commanding a gunboat on the Lakes of Canada, were ordered home as my Secretary and Flag-Lieutenant, and I selected friend Heneage as Captain.
I was invited by the Prince of Wales to Sandringham to take leave, and afterwards accompanied their Royal Highnesses to Holkham for the Christmas week. On the way back stopped a day at Quidenham, and one with friend General Eyre, who had taken Garboldisham.
[Sidenote: 1867. Jan. 21.]
On January 21 went to Sheerness and hoisted flag on board the _Cumberland_, which was in due form saluted by the flagship of Sir Baldwin Walker, who kindly took us into Admiralty House. At the same time was hoisted the pennant on board _Rodney_, then in the basin.
[Sidenote: Jan. 22.]
Returned to London. Having received a letter from Cowell stating that he had received Her Majesty’s command to invite me to Windsor on February 25, to stay till the following day, the Admiralty ordered my passage _viâ_ Marseilles instead of Southampton, giving me four or five days’ grace.
Went by invitation, to Miss Burdett-Coutts at Torquay to take leave of my valued friend Rajah Brooke, who had lately had a paralytic stroke. Found him partially recovered, but spirits good and his powerful mind apparently unaffected. (I never saw him again.) Left early to join wife, staying with the Custs at Bournemouth. Taking leave of these most kind and hospitable relations we returned to Bishopstoke for the last days. General Charles Fox had kindly offered his house, Addison Road, Kensington: our likenesses being painted by Henry Graves had yet to be finished.
[Sidenote: Feb. 24.]
Farewell dinner with H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.
[Sidenote: Feb. 25.]
Went down to Windsor. At Paddington found Lady Caroline Barrington, availing myself of the carriage sent for her when we reached Windsor. Dined, a household dinner, Lady Caroline Barrington and Miss Macdonald in waiting with Biddulph and Cowell. After dinner, was summoned into the presence of Her Majesty in the corridor, the Queen still wearing the widow’s cap. However, I was received with one of Her Majesty’s pleasantest smiles, and after some twelve minutes’ conversation, chiefly about the Duke of Edinburgh and Count Gleichen, I was graciously dismissed. Cowell saw me into my train.
[Sidenote: Feb. 26.]
Risk, lately married, was likewise ordered a passage _viâ_ Marseilles. My boy stated when he saw me off in the train at Bishopstoke that “Dadda would get out at the China station!” Found French steam packet at Dover; rail to Paris and Marseilles, where we arrived at 12.30 P.M. Took possession of the cabin allotted me on board the mail steamer, opening into the saloon!
##