Had to attend my Captain at a court-martial which caused an unusual sensation. It took place on board the _Victory_ in Portsmouth Harbour, with all established pomp and ceremony. The president was Rear-Admiral of the White, Sir William Hall Gage. On opening the Court, the ten senior Captains of those assembled were sworn; the remainder were informed their services were not required. The Provost-Marshal, with drawn sword and cocked hat, in charge of the prisoner, took position at the lower end near the right side of the table, on which lay the prisoner’s sword with handle towards him. The following Captains formed the Court, taking their seats on alternate sides of the table, according to seniority, the senior on the right of the president: Patrick Campbell, C.B., _Ocean_, 80. Sir Michael Seymour, Bart., K.C.B., Royal Yacht. Henry Hill, _Melville_, 74. Fred. Warren, _Spartiate_, 76. Charles Inglis, _Victory_, 104. William Fairbrother Carrol, _Warspite_, 76. Nicholas Lockyer, C.B., _Romney_. Fred. Hunn, _Tweed_, 28. Richard Deans Dundas, _Volage_, 26. The prisoner was Captain of the _Ariadne_. He was tried for having purchased a slave negress at Zanzibar, and taken her to sea. She mysteriously disappeared off the coast of Africa. [Sidenote: Jan. 24] The trial lasted three days. When the Court reopened for the last time, the members had resumed their cocked hats, the prisoner’s sword lay on the table with the point towards him. He was dismissed the service of His Majesty King George IV., and Captain Adolphus Fitz-Clarence appointed to the _Ariadne_. [Sidenote: Jan. 20.] Received Colonel Dashwood, appointed Consul at Mexico, a guardsman, and of course a good fellow: it was not until the 25th that we got his luggage and fixings on board. In the afternoon we sailed, but not in a hurry; Captains with Government passengers seldom are. We anchored at Cowes and Yarmouth; next move we ran through the Needles. [Feb. 15.] We were glad to find ourselves out of the cold, and came to in Funchall Roads. We saluted the Portuguese flag: the pinnace, instead of being astern, was fast to the guess-warp boom; her planking so shook that she had to be hoisted in. Next day the First Lieutenant was invalided, and went home in the _Eden_, 28. On shore we enjoyed the usual kind hospitality. I had lost my female playfellows, and, although I did not grow, I joined my seniors in the rides and picnics; that at the Corral, for enjoyment and scenery, is not to be beaten. [Sidenote: Feb. 27.] On sailing, we got unusually quick into the north-east trade; sails trimmed accordingly, ropes coiled up, and ship prepared for painting. [Sidenote: Mar. 20.] We came to in Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes. Sent boats and party on shore for water, which I was allowed to join. [Sidenote: Mar. 25.]