Sent an officer and party to Sunderland to quell small disturbance. In four days they returned, and we sailed for Leith Roads. We really enjoyed Edinburgh. [Sidenote: Aug. 18.] The _Parthian_, 10, Commander Hon. George Barrington, arrived. Next day we sailed, getting back to Spithead on 28th. The worst of belonging to the Channel Fleet, you were never safe to go any distance; but we had many kind friends in the neighbourhood. One of my brother mids was Charles Patterson, the son of an Admiral, who lived at Cosham. He was a friend of my Captain, and I often stayed with him. The old gentleman was kindness itself, with no end of good stories. He swore a good deal, but only at himself: his heart, or liver, etc. The latter part of his service as Captain was as Governor of Porchester Castle, which was, and will always be, a most interesting ruin. Built by the Romans, in the fourteenth century it was used by King John as a State prison. At the period of the Revolutionary wars it held French prisoners, and Dutch sailors taken at the battle of Camperdown. The Admiral had a pretty daughter, with whom we midshipmen were in love. Mrs. Patterson was so kind to us. She was a wonderful horsewoman. I never saw the Admiral in any other costume by day than yellow leathers and mahogany tops. Miss Patterson had a collection of animals carved by the prisoners out of their meat-bones. I have some of them now. [Sidenote: Portsmouth, Sept. 14.] We got notice to receive on board Bishop Inglis and family for Nova Scotia. While at the Naval College I had watched with interest the building of the _Princess Charlotte_, not only on account of her grand proportions, but there were associations connecting the name of that fair Princess with our family, my grandmother, Lady de Clifford, having been governess to Her Royal Highness. In those days a ship of the line frequently remained ten or twelve years on the stocks. To stand on the keel near the sternpost and look forward, at a time before beams or planking of any sort had been placed, and to reflect that 800 full-grown oak-trees had been expended in her construction, made you lost in wonder. The _Princess Charlotte_ was laid down in 1812, and was to carry 120 guns and have a round stern: an innovation in those days on the present square old _Victory_. Thursday, September 13, was the day fixed for the launch, ushered in by a royal salute, announcing the arrival of Leopold, Crown Prince of Belgium, who was to christen her. Being anxious for a good place, I landed early from the _Tweed_. Climbing to the top of a building-shed I commanded a fine view. Spectators assembled in thousands. As large ships were only launched on the top of spring tides, a larger quantity of water than usual had been admitted into the floating-basin.