THE _MAGICIENNE_
[Sidenote: 1833. Feb. 11.]
On return from the funeral I was sent in a native boat to Calcutta,
with a despatch to the Governor-General. It was slow work against
stream, and at night very cold, for which I was unprepared.
[Sidenote: Feb. 12.]
However, I arrived the following morning, and landed at the Shampur
ghât. A palanquin conveyed me to Government House. Lord William
Cavendish Bentinck was well known; twenty years previously he had been
Governor of Madras.
I was not kept long. Instead of finding myself ushered into the
presence of a potentate with twenty A.D.C.’s, I found His Excellency
in plain clothes: his only companion, a parrot on his finger. He was
kindness itself. I had been but little in the London world, but he
seemed to know everybody I had seen, or even heard of.
The ship arrived in the afternoon, and anchored off the esplanade.
Although many fine Indiamen and larger ships were here, nothing came
up to _Magicienne_ in appearance. In due time His Excellency paid an
official visit.
[Illustration: Magicienne _at Calcutta_.]
A salute with yards manned is a pretty sight, and our _Magicienne_ was,
even for a man-of-war, unusually _taunt_, and on shore attracted a
large concourse. The Hooghly was not a bright and limpid stream. Of a
morning we often had to clear our hawse of dark bodies, hardly visible
from the darker mud.
Quarters were provided for officers in Fort William. The ancient one,
in which was the famous Black Hole, was two miles farther up the river.
We were kindly invited by H. E. to Barrackpore. But it was the height
of the season, balls, pig-sticking, parties, picnics, and private
theatricals going on.
The hunt meet at Dum-Dum (five miles from Calcutta) I could not resist.
There was an extensive horse establishment, from which I obtained a
horse. I was never without a correct get-up, and, weighing something
under nine stone, was frequently offered a mount.
[Sidenote: March.]
My hunter, from Mr. Cook’s establishment, sent on, I drove in a buggy,
syce seated on the step. It was a bright and cheery meet. Jackals were
hunted instead of foxes, the latter being small, and not so fast.
I was welcomed as an old sportsman. A find and a cheery “gone away,” my
horse inclined towards a wood on the right. He jumped a small nullah
against my will; the bit broke at the joint. My next recollection
was from a bed in Fort William, with my Captain and officers of both
services standing round.
I soon recovered senses, but for some days was told to keep quiet. It
appears that my mount, after taking me across the nullah, bolted for
the wood, and my head striking a bough, brought me to the ground.
The Tent Club had been kind enough to make me an honorary member. After
some days’ quiet enjoyment at Barrackpore, I returned to the city. On
my promising proper behaviour, I joined a small party. Stopford, a
merchant, was one. He was so like the Admiral, and naval relatives of
that name, I cottoned to him at once.
On approaching the ground, we came on thirteen or fourteen elephants
tethered in regular order, with their attendants. Beyond were marquees,
arranged and fitted with every comfort of bed and baths that a
sportsman could wish.
A large mess marquee stood out by itself, with passages for cooks and
attendants, and piles of ice, (brought to Calcutta by American ships).
The country was open, with patches of jungle three or four acres in
extent. Our horses were tethered in the rear in such places as suited
the syces.
The dinner alone was worth all I had yet seen: every luxury of soups;
capons as big as turkeys, curries equal to those at Madras. Drinks
of champagne and claret, but nothing appeared in greater demand than
Bass’s pale ale. Ices in every form: stories and songs till the small
hours, when the elders made a move.
I was in a sound sleep, when the yells of jackals close by caused me
to jump up and seize my gun. As I got outside, voices called out: “You
can’t fire without hitting some one!”
The procession to the jungle was quiet and decorous. After the
elephants, guided by their mahouts, who were also provided with
crackers, had entered the jungle, you could distinctly hear the boar
sharpening his tusks.
The pig-stickers separated into pairs. Where a hog broke, the nearest
took up the running; the second followed close for turn and first spear.
The spear at Calcutta was carried perpendicularly, point down. I
mention this, as, I believe, in Bombay the spear is carried under the
arm.
I witnessed this noble sport for a couple of days, without being able
to join in it.
[Sidenote: Mar. 11.]
We were towed down the Hooghly by the _Enterprise_ steamer.
[Sidenote: April 3.]
Anchored off Malacca.
[Sidenote: Singapore, April 4.]
Came to in Singapore Roads. It was curious to find almost every
European down with influenza, and that within three degrees of the
equator!
[Sidenote: April 6.]
Our ships suffered, and several officers and men were invalided. (In
connection with this epidemic, it is of interest to note that the
disease was as universal as it has been in the latter part of this
century. 1833 was the great year of influenza in Europe, and although
communication was slow and infrequent, yet the disease travelled with
the same rapid defiance of distance as it does now--an argument in
favour of this mysterious malady being disseminated by atmospheric
influences.)
[Sidenote: April 23.]
Put to sea without delay, taking with us _Alligator_, _Wolf_, and
_Harrier_.
[Sidenote: May 7.]
We proceeded by Anjer Roads to Trincomalee, thence to Madras, where we
arrived the end of the month.
[Sidenote: May 23.]
At sunset we were again running for Trincomalee under all sail. The
wind strong enough to enable us to stem a two-knot current.
At 10 P.M., just as the Captain came on deck, the breeze freshened and
veered to the starboard quarter. He turned the hands up, “Bring ship to
an anchor.”
At 11 P.M. we shortened sail and came to. We were considered smart at
all sail work, Hutton managing, while yards were square, the starboard,
and I the port, side.
[Sidenote: Trincomalee.]
On the present occasion, the boatswain neglected to see the port
fore-tack properly overhauled. The consequence was that the clew on
Hutton’s side reached the quarter of the yard a few seconds before that
on my side!
It was near midnight, sails furled and yards square. The Captain sent
for me to inquire why the port clew was not up at the same time as
that on starboard side. I told him that neither sheet nor tack had
been overhauled. He sent for the boatswain, who stated that he had
overhauled both with his own “’and.”
The Captain addressed me, drawing my attention to the undoubted
fact, on which I expressed an opinion that my word was as good as
the boatswain’s. I was ordered to my cabin, under arrest. Everybody
appeared to be out of sorts, and, as it would have been my middle
watch, I was not sorry to turn in. The ship was soon refitted.
[Sidenote: May 29.]
Sailed for Madras; arrived 31st.
[Sidenote: Madras, June.]
On June 4 a mail from England arrived. The first down to my cabin to
congratulate me on promotion was the Captain. How the receipt of good
news alters people’s feelings! We were “brothers”; half an hour earlier
I could have done him an injury. I got a hearty welcome to share
generous John Company’s Naval House on the Mount Road. I scarcely knew
my own self.
My commission as Commander was dated January 30, five months before
I heard of it. We had carousals on shore, and I heard after at some
dinner-party Hutton had sung his then famous song “John’s ale was new.”
On a remark of mine, he bet me £5 that he would not sing it again while
the _Magicienne_ was in commission.
The ship was ordered to Calcutta, and the Captain had no authority to
discharge me. I therefore proposed that, after having seen him off,
I should write a despatch, stating that, having been promoted, and
finding a homeward-bound free-trader in the roads, I had taken passage
to England.
[Sidenote: June 10.]
_Magicienne_ sailed at daylight for Calcutta. For the first time I was
my own master.
The Navy agents secured my passage. I passed most of the time with my
young kinsman, Henry Garnier, a Cornet in the 4th Light Cavalry, who,
in his turn, was much with Colonel Charles Macleane and that charming
family, in which was one particularly handsome daughter. A fortnight
passed rapidly and pleasantly, riding or tandem-driving.
When I came to embark, I found that these kind, experienced friends
had sent me two chests, each containing six dozen bottles of pure
water, which was far more useful and grateful than the same amount of
champagne would have been. These chests the chief officer kindly stowed
conveniently for me.
[Sidenote: June 26.]
We sailed in _Claudine_. There were an agreeable set of passengers. We
sat down eighteen to dinner.
[Sidenote: Table Bay, Aug. 15.]
Arrived in Table Bay. We were startled, on running in, at seeing within
half a cable’s length ahead a small flag flying on what appeared to be
a rock, but proved to be a dead whale, the flag marking the owner.
I had here a week of real enjoyment, visiting with my old friends,
besides getting two capital days’ hunting. On both occasions I was
awarded a brush.
[Sidenote: Aug. 22.]
Sailed.
[Sidenote: Oct. 20.]
At sunset landed with the other passengers by pilot vessel at
Portsmouth--one hundred and seventeen days from Madras.