Within a few days of our arrival, Captain Peel of the _Shannon_ formed his Naval Brigade and went up-country. We of the poor _Pearl_ felt terribly the order to remain behind. We were wanted at Calcutta. Our two ships there had had a great effect on the natives, and had possibly saved an outbreak in the town, which we could rake with our heavy ordnance. We placed howitzers in our tops, and for some days kept men aloft on the watch. The Hoogly (as the river is called at Calcutta) was alive with merchant ships--huge East Indiamen, and a considerable number of large American trading ships. At night the songs were sometimes very entertaining, and what amused me most was listening to their anchor-weighing choruses. There were ships constantly unmooring and weighing their anchors close to us. At every heave of the old-fashioned windlass they would almost stop for a whole verse, and then go on again and just get in two links. The men generally were a rough-looking lot, and there was plenty of liquor floating about. The first detachment of our Naval Brigade was formed in September, and in a few days left for up-country. Sotheby was in command, taking all the marines and about 100 blue-jackets and half the combatant officers. I myself was left behind, which was a great trial; but I knew it would not be for long. Our turn came about the middle of October. The six weeks of my stay I passed pleasantly. The civilians and the Government officials were most hospitable. I was surprised at seeing so many Europeans. My idea of India was the dark man and nothing else. Lord and Lady Canning were kindness itself. In one of my letters to my parents I describe the dread of going up to write my name down at Government House on being ordered to do so by my Captain: I considered that “a poor mid was not half swell enough for that.” I put off what appeared to be the evil day as long as I could: until one morning I got a note from Lord Dunkellin inviting me, by Lady Canning’s wishes, to come to tiffin. Though careworn and anxious, she still preserved her charming looks: the grace and dignity of her bearing struck me, young as I was. She conversed with me a good deal about common relations and friends at home, and soon won my heart by her very kind ways and charm of manner. His Lordship was just as I remembered him in England, though he was not well, with the weight of cares depressing him. I was offered ponies to ride, buggies to drive, anything I wanted; and I heard him give the order that I was to have _carte blanche_ use of his stables. Great state was observed in those days. I have seen sixty to seventy attendants, all dressed in very handsome native garb, waiting at dinner; and we dined in a beautiful marble hall, kept cool by innumerable punkahs.