Baden-Baden. A man in the Kursaal shook hands with me, because I looked so “devilish like one of the family.” It was my brother Bury, whom I had not seen for twelve years. His wife Fanny looking so pretty, and but little altered. [Sidenote: June 24.] Dined with Bury--a good English dinner. Went to hell afterwards, and lost forty-five francs. [Sidenote: June 26.] Early to hell, losing seventy-five francs. Took leave of Baden-Baden. Started by _another_ dirty steamer for Wiesbaden, thence home. [Sidenote: July 29.] Arrived at Dover. Detained two hours at the Custom House, because I would not pay a land-shark to clear my luggage. [Sidenote: July 31.] Goodwood races. To my regret could not go. Missed meeting father, whose horse “Ralph” won the Drawing-room and Produce Stakes, and with a colt by “Taurus,” the Racing Stakes. He most likely would have tipped me! CHAPTER XXIV _DIDO_ CORVETTE [Sidenote: 1841. Aug.] Heard from an old friend that a Captain, junior to myself, had declined an offer of the _Dido_. I had homes in plenty, but these could not last; my wife handsome and charming--we were welcomed everywhere; but my means were small. I went to the General, explained matters, which he had long foreseen. While he lived, my wife, without encumbrances, would never be without a home; but he could not live for ever. I wrote to Lord Minto: “Understanding a junior had declined an appointment to the _Dido_, I should be too glad to take her or anything else.” [Sidenote: Aug. 31.] By the end of the month I was appointed to the _Dido_, 18, 734 tons--a beautiful corvette, one of Symonds’ best. [Sidenote: Sept. 3.] Hurried to Sheerness, where I found my kind friend, Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Digby, K.C.B., and Lady Andover, in command. [Sidenote: Sept. 4.] Hoisted the pennant--_Dido_ in commission. Sheerness was hardly the place for lodging or accommodation, but the Lieutenant at the dockyard gates kindly took wife and self in. We were always welcome at the Admiral’s table. The Captain-Superintendent, Sir John Hill, was a fine old seaman, but ignorant of dockyard work. He had found favour with the Duke of Wellington in assisting the landing of troops in Portugal. My father, who commanded the Norfolk Militia, was here when the mutiny broke out in 1797, and was in charge of the ringleader who had assumed the name of Admiral Richard Parker. He was executed on June 30 with the principal ringleaders. Many had escaped, but orders issued for their apprehension wherever caught. I was told that more seamen were hanged than had been in the mutiny. Our Admiral’s house, although it loomed large, had but small accommodation; the dining-room was the largest, and the table always full. The guests kept a one-horse fly continually moving half an hour before dinner. But to return to my _Dido_. She was in an uncovered dock, masts out, no copper on; rudder in a shed repairing, and 9 feet water in the hold.