CHAPTER LXIV

THE _RALEIGH_

[Sidenote: 1856. _Raleigh_, Nov. 20.]

A fine frigate has ever been the favourite class of ship with seamen as well as officers, and I venture to state a finer crew never left a port.

List of officers:--

_Commander_--Edward W. Turnour. _Secretary_--Matless G. Autey. _Lieutenants_--James G. Goodenough, Viscount Gilford, H.R.H. Prince Victor of Hohenlohe, James S. Graham, W. F. Johnson. _Master_--William H. Williams. _Captain of Marines_--Thomas Magin. _Second Lieutenant of Marines_--Charles L. Owen. _Chaplain_--Josiah Thompson. _Surgeon_--John T. Crawford. _Paymaster_--James G. G. Simmonds. _Naval Instructor_--John L. Laverty. _Assistant-Surgeon_--J. G. T. Forbes. _Midshipmen_--Lord Charles Scott, Hon. Victor A. Montagu, Hon. F. G. Crofton, Henry F. Stephenson, A. E. Dupuis, F. R. Foster, Hugh B. Hammersley, Edward Pilkington, A. Paget, Hardy M‘Hardy.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: At Sea, Nov. 20.]

Friends Henry Seymour, Eyre, and George Lennox enjoying themselves.

[Sidenote: Nov. 21.]

Late in the evening before we came to Plymouth Sound.

[Sidenote: Nov. 22.]

Saluted Sir William Parker’s flag at 9 A.M. Called on Newmans at Royal Hotel, where I took a room. Visited Hartmans at Saltram, where I found my cousins Mrs. Yorke and daughter. Dined with Sam Truscott--a character.

[Sidenote: Nov. 23.]

Breakfasted with Caroline and Louisa Newman. In afternoon Prince Victor, Graham, Lord Charles Scott, Harry Stephenson, and I to Saltram to dine and sleep.

[Sidenote: Nov. 24.]

Returned after breakfast to Plymouth. Took Cecilia Yorke and Miss Coryton on board _Raleigh_.

[Sidenote: Nov. 25.]

Was allowed to see Lord Mount-Edgecumbe; cruel wreck of a handsome and intellectual man. Too down to dine anywhere. Tea with Newman girls.

[Sidenote: Nov. 26.]

Weighed at 11 and ran out of the Sound. What may not happen before I again land in England!

[Sidenote: Madeira, Dec. 9.]

Anchored before 1 in Funchal Roads. Kindly received by friend Stoddard, putting up brother Tom and four youngsters. Hired for the time a horse Miss O’Rorke used to ride.

[Sidenote: Dec. 10.]

Drove Miss Stoddard in pony carriage. Before leaving my brother-in-law, Harry Stephenson, commissioned me to bring home a pipe of the best Madeira. I applied to my friend of many years, now Consul, Mr. Stoddard. He had ceased to be a wine merchant, and the remaining pipes of the best were put aside as part of the marriage portion of his charming daughters; he left it to me to make interest with them to obtain a couple of pipes of this precious wine. I had the pipes encased in extra casks and stowed in the hold of the _Raleigh_. (It is well I did so.)

[Sidenote: Dec. 11.]

Prince Victor, good fellow! wishing another day in Madeira, consented to remain over Friday. Rio given up. Rode with Miss Lund. Evening at Stoddard’s.

[Sidenote: Dec. 12.]

“Thomas” and I rode over to the Beans. Same hospitable couple I had sojourned with in 1824.

[Sidenote: Dec. 13.]

Weighed early. Everybody pleased with their visit to Madeira.

[Sidenote: At Sea, Dec. 23.]

A marine fell overboard, and was saved by a gallant fellow of the name of Moodie, second-class ordinary. The night was dark, and the two life-buoys let go by a marine, stationed for the purpose, without first pulling the igniting trigger, were lost.

[Sidenote: Dec. 25.]

Christmas Day. All the youngsters and warrant officers, including Turnour, Autey, Thompson, and brother Tom, to dine--sixteen in all. How many of us will meet next Christmas! “Qui en sabe?”

[Sidenote: Dec. 26.]

Neptune came on board and performed the usual ceremonies.