Continued with _Endymion_ the convoy of transports through the Straits. That strange kind of vibration through the ship which we experienced last year, not far from this, was felt again to-day, caused, we think, by some powerful fish attaching itself. Our convoy consisted of nineteen sail. _Endymion_ proceeded to Penang, leaving me in charge. On Grey reappearing I signalled convoy to proceed with _Endymion_. [Sidenote: Jan. 14.] The following day we arrived at Penang, and were saluted by the Company’s fort. Returned the same. Commenced duties as Senior Officer of the Straits Settlements. Glad to be where I had previously so enjoyed myself. Was invited to take up my quarters at Government House with the Resident, Mr. Samuel Garling, who invited the heads of departments to meet me at dinner. I had on board a small brass band of six performers, who were rapidly improving. They could play string or other instruments, which meant dancing. [Sidenote: Jan. 15.] Went on board to muster and read Church service. How pleasant for a while the peace and quiet of a room on shore to oneself! From the windows I see my _Dido_, sitting like a duck on the water, looking beautiful. My kind host proposed a visit to Province Wellesley. He had at his disposal two of the Company’s small steamers, _Diana_ and _Auckland_, with less draught of water than _Dido_, which had to anchor further off-shore. [Sidenote: Jan. 16.] Our object was to visit an enterprising Frenchman, who had penetrated miles into a dense jungle and opened up a sugar plantation. [Sidenote: Jan. 17.] We landed from the _Diana_ at the mouth of a small creek, up which we had to paddle some eight miles. On landing an elephant awaited us, fitted with a double howdah; there were no end of coolies. We were received by Monsieur et Madame Donnadieu. Although I had been at Calcutta, this was my first mount on an elephant. From the landing-place, with the exception of the twelve-foot-wide road, was a jungle, where the relations of the Bengal tiger might be concealed within a foot of where we were. We found our host’s bungalow prettily situated on rising ground, cleared all round for a quarter of a mile of the dense jungle, and protected by a substantial iron fence. The inside of the building was a perfect bijou; you could fancy yourself within hail of Paris. Our dinner, too, was perfection, including a Malay curry. We were charmed with our hostess. I regretted my deficiency in French, although Madame Donnadieu tried to make me believe she understood what I said, and we were getting on, when a guest asked her to sing. [Sidenote: Jan. 18.] Following morning, on being consulted, I voted for a mount on the elephant, whose stable was the open jungle, a heavy log chained to one of his forefeet.