VISIT SARAWAK
[Sidenote: 1857. June 5.]
Master and self tried by court-martial on board the _Sybille_ for the
loss of the _Raleigh_.
[Sidenote: June 12.]
The hull of my poor _Raleigh_ advertised for sale, to take place on
Monday 29th. Who would have believed it! Commander-in-Chief appointing
us by commission, dated yesterday, to the _Alligator_.
[Sidenote: Canton River, June 14.]
_Sunday._--My birthday. Enter my forty-ninth year--a day on which one
no longer cares to be congratulated. Went up in _Hong-Kong_ as far as
Second Bar, where _Tribune_ and _Highflyer_ are.
[Sidenote: June 15.]
Proceeded to Macao Fort; found they had made a prize of a mandarin junk
laden with tea.
[Sidenote: June 16.]
Returned as far as Second Bar and met Sampson. No permission from Chief
to ascend Anninghoy Creek.
[Sidenote: June 18.]
Made preparations for capture of the Chucupee Fort. The Celestials,
however, mizzled on our approach. Took possession and left Edgell with
_Tribune_ in charge.
[Sidenote: June 20.]
Anniversary of Her Majesty’s Accession. Dressed ships. At noon fired
Royal salutes the whole length of the Canton River.
[Sidenote: June 30.]
Shifted berth to below Second Bar, taking old _Alligator_ up. Dined
with Sir Robert M‘Clure of North-West Passage celebrity in _Esk_.
[Sidenote: July 20.]
Friend “Thomas,” Prince Victor, and self took departure for Dent’s
comfortable quarters at Macao, on board the _Firmee_. Found poor
Cleverly still confined to bed. Met a clerk of Dent’s House, who wears
a moustache, and looks a muff.
[Sidenote: July 21.]
Macao better climate than Hong-Kong. Thomas, Prince Victor, and I dined
at Endicott’s.
[Sidenote: July 26.]
Heard of the untimely death of poor young Foster, which took place on
board the _Fury_ off Macao Fort. By _Firmee_ to Hong-Kong and Dent’s
bungalow. Visit from St. George Foley.
[Sidenote: July 30.]
Returned by _Firmee_ to Macao, meeting Admiral there in _Coromandel_,
who informed me of the little chance I had of becoming second in
command, as far as Sir Charles Wood was concerned.
[Sidenote: Aug. 20.]
Mail in from England. Ascertained from Commander-in-Chief that Sir
Charles Wood at Admiralty disapproved of my broad pennant being hoisted
after loss of _Raleigh_. Decided on going home.
[Sidenote: Aug. 23.]
The worthy Judge Hulme gave me a farewell dinner. Parting dinner at
Dent’s. William Dent over from Macao.
[Sidenote: Hong-kong, Aug. 25.]
Took leave of my good friends the Dents. Also the kind Admiral.
Embarked on board _Formosa_, P. and O. steamer, for passage to England,
with option of landing and coming on when and how I like. Flagship
manning rigging and cheering on passing. My _Raleigh’s_ officers on
board, with others, to wish me good-bye!!!
* * * * *
[Sidenote: P. and O. _Formosa_, Aug. 26.]
Once more on the wide and open sea, but in the novel position of
passenger. Dr. and Mrs. Parker and my worthy friend and old shipmate
Crawford of the party.
[Sidenote: Sept. 4.]
10 A.M.--Arrived in New Harbour, Singapore. Kindly taken in by
Blundell at Government House. Read Clarence Paget’s friendly
explanation of my recall in the House of Commons.
[Sidenote: Singapore, Sept. 5.]
Found Charlie Grant, wife and child, going to Sarawak.
[Sidenote: Sept. 6.]
Dined with the Blundells--their daughters, Jane and Anne, particularly
nice girls.
[Sidenote: Sept. 7.]
_Emperor_ steam yacht in the Roads requiring a foremast--time for her
to take me to Sarawak and return while mast getting ready. Pleasant and
convenient arrangement. News from India; slight improvement, but Delhi
still untaken.
[Sidenote: Sept. 8.]
Captain Sidney Grenfell, senior officer in Malacca Straits, cancelled
the orders already given. The Emperor of Japan’s yacht is not to go
with me to Borneo! There is a difference between being _in_ and _out_
of office.
[Sidenote: Sept. 9.]
Dined with Colonel Liardet at the mess of 21st N.I.
[Sidenote: Sept. 10.]
Lord Elgin arrived from Calcutta in _Ava_, P. and O. Co’s steamer.
Breakfasted with Harvey, meeting Greenshields and Paterson, with their
wives.
[Sidenote: Sept. 11.]
Many good fellows in Lord Elgin’s staff, George Fitzroy one of them.
Dined at home (Government House) to meet Lord Elgin.
[Sidenote: Sept. 12.]
Mail in from England. Turnour and Prince Victor promoted. I senior
captain on the list. Many letters of congratulation on Fatshan Creek.
Met Lord Elgin and party at dinner.
[Sidenote: Sept. 13.]
Embarked on board Emperor of Japan’s yacht.
[Sidenote: Sept. 15.]
Rounded Taujong Datu. In evening anchored off Taujong Poe.
[Illustration: _A Malay Kampong._]