During my stay in Nottingham a ball took place, which, owing to the uniform of the Lancers and the pink coats of hunting men, was a much more brilliant affair than I had been accustomed to. I was astonished at the arrival in the middle of the dancing of my friend Wildman, his wife and sister, from Newstead. They at once decided, as there was no hunting, I must return with them. Snow falling, they took an early departure, before midnight. At 2 A.M. I followed in what was called a “yellow bounder”--a light carriage on four wheels, without a coach-box, C-springs, and post-boy riding. I came up with the Wildman coach half-way, snowed up. It was agreed that I should go with them, and my pair as leaders to their four. It took us eight hours to reach Newstead Abbey. We were snowed up for some weeks, but I did not care. With Mrs. Wildman’s sister, Miss Preisig, I valsed the evenings away. [Sidenote: 1830. January.] However, letters reached at last, bringing my appointment to the _Galatea_. I managed to catch the mail at Leicester. It was freezing sharp, and only one outside place. Luckily, I found a friend, Dr. Pettigrew, who was attached to the household of the Duke of Sussex. But for him I think I should have died. Myself fortified with cloaks and rugs, and the doctor with lozenges, we arrived the following morning at the Bull Inn, Aldgate. I subsequently found there was more pain in thawing than being frozen. My kind friend thrust me into a hackney coach, with all the straw he could collect from the inn. I started, jolting over the rough pavement, for my grandmother’s residence, 10 Berkeley Square. Restoring animation was greater pain than that of freezing, but, being close to Gunter’s, restoratives were easily had. [Illustration: _Nearly frozen._] CHAPTER VII THE _GALATEA_ [Sidenote: 1830. Portsmouth. Feb. 11, March 6.] Joined _Galatea_, one of the Channel Squadron, Captain Charles Napier, C.B. Joined Lieutenant Alexander Cotton, in place of Lieutenant F. V. Cotton. [Sidenote: March 11.] We left Spithead to go to assistance of the _Wolf_, on shore at back of Isle of Wight: with our boats, and assistance of dockyard lighters, she was got off during afternoon of following day. [Sidenote: Mar. 12.] We returned through the Needles: in running for Spithead with signal flying, “_Wolf_ saved,” we grounded on the Middle Bank. Still floated however with rising tide. [Sidenote: April 5.] Weighed and ran through Needles Passage; next day becalmed; shipped paddles, and worked them into Torbay. Sailed following day. [Sidenote: April 9.] Plymouth Sound. Saluted the flag of Earl of Northesk. [Sidenote: June 3.]