The society at Athens was most enjoyable, and the number of times I lost my heart it would be hard to say. In late years, when I commanded the _Rapid_, a wooden sloop, my very dear friend and most excellent Commander-in-Chief, Sir Hastings Yelverton, used invariably to send me to that station, where I had the honour of becoming acquainted with His Majesty King George and Her Majesty Queen Olga. No words that I can use would be commensurate with the marked kindness and hospitality that I received at their Majesties’ hands. I spent many of the happiest days of my life under their roof, or otherwise in their society; and some who may chance to read these lines will bear me out in acknowledging the debts of gratitude which those who had the distinguished privilege of their Majesties’ acquaintance must have felt for the kindness shown to them on their visiting Athens, and that lovely country-seat, Tatoi. I first knew Athens in King Otho’s reign; and I was there at the _coup d’état_, when His Majesty was conveyed away in Her Majesty’s ship _Sylla_, commanded by Rowley Lambert. From Athens the _Princess Royal_ was suddenly ordered to proceed post-haste to the island of Zea, in the Archipelago, where the _Royal Albert_, flagship, had sought refuge, having sprung a serious leak in her stern post on the way from Constantinople. We found her with her bows run ashore, and hard at work having the leak repaired. We assisted, and in a day or two were enabled to get her off. A paddle sloop, the _Sphynx_, took her in tow. We formed the escort, and eventually arrived all together at Malta. Dear old place! What a time we middies had there! I immediately fitted myself out with new clothes, took a stall at the Opera, and was the young swell to my heart’s content. The performances were very good for second-class singers. Some made their fame afterwards in European capitals, and rose to the zenith of their profession. Balls, parties, and every sort of fun went on during our stay. We used to ride in parties of twenty or more all over the island. Helter-skelter we flew along those hard rocky roads, to the peril of anything that came across our path. Cetta Vechia was the famous _rendezvous_ for luncheon or refreshments, and the orange gardens suffered considerably from our thirsty mouths. The Maltese, apparently, did not mind. Fresh from the war, we were given unlimited licence in our expeditions; and we certainly made the most of it. The harbour was always astir, transports and ships of war constantly arriving or leaving: all was interest and excitement. Malta had great fascinations to my mind. Everything was picturesque: a beautiful harbour, with its numerous creeks splitting up the town into several small ones: though under different names, it was all Malta. There were an excellent club, races, cricket, and every sport save shooting, though quails were to be found at certain seasons.