We made Cape Frio July 17: then, squalls for a couple of days. Two days after we made our number to the _Spartiate_ bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir George Eyre. The atmosphere was so clear that we could distinctly make out the affirmative when the head of the topgallant sails only could be seen above the horizon--a distance of fifteen miles. [Sidenote: July 19.] We brought the sea-breeze up with us, saluted, and followed the flag into the magnificent harbour of Rio de Janeiro, and came to an anchor. There I saw for the first time the white flag of France flying on board the _Jean Bart_, 74, also the Stars and Stripes of the United States on board the _Franklin_, 74. After the Brazilian national flag we saluted that of Lord Cochrane, on board the _Don Pedro_, as High Admiral of the Brazilian Navy, with 19 guns. [Sidenote: July 24.] I saw that gallant and extraordinary, but ill-used man, Lord Cochrane, who came on board to return Captain Hunn’s visit. He was at this time, in the estimation of the Old World and the New, the greatest man afloat. He was tall and thin, of powerful build, with close-cut red hair. [Illustration: _Meet Lord Cochrane._] I indeed felt proud when, on my Captain’s presenting, he shook me by the hand. One of the last books I had read at the Naval College was his action in the _Speedy_ sloop of 14 guns, with a crew of 54 men, when he captured the Spanish frigate _El Gamo_, Captain de Torres. It was on this occasion that Cochrane admitted he had nearly caught a Tartar. While cruising off the coast of Spain, he saw what he took to be a large merchant ship. On drawing near, she opened her hitherto disguised ports, and disclosed the broadside guns of a frigate. Without going into further details, she was carried by boarding. There were killed on board the _El Gamo_ the Captain and 13 seamen, and 41 wounded, exceeding in number the whole of the officers and crew of the _Speedy_. The second in command of the _El Gamo_ succeeded in obtaining from Cochrane a certificate stating that he had fought his ship like a true Spaniard. Captain Hunn took a house at Boto Fogo, one of those beautiful inlets in the harbour facing the Sugar-loaf, about three miles from the town. I was again kindly included in the family party. The principal Portuguese and most of the English merchants had residences there. [Sidenote: Aug. 2.] At midnight a salute of 101 guns was fired from the batteries in honour of the birth of a Prince and future Emperor. The salute was repeated at daylight, noon (when we joined), sunset, and midnight. Lord Cochrane had sailed with his fleet: an embargo was laid on all ships for three weeks. Picnics and every sort of amusement went on. [Sidenote: Aug. 8.] The embargo being removed, we sailed with the early breeze in company with some 500 sail of all nations. The show of white canvas was a beautiful sight. When outside and in the open we spread out like a fan.