It was work not to be done in a day, as when a batch exceeded twenty it was necessary to take them to the ship at Woolwich. However, I was tolerably successful, and in the end got a letter of approval from my Captain. Tom Knox had a brother in the Scots Fusilier Guards. Each battalion had its six or eight oared row-gigs, in which it was great fun for the ladies to go down with the ebb-tide, dine off whitebait at Greenwich, and return to town in cabriolets. The excitement in going was shooting London Bridge. When the tide was out there might be a drop of four or five feet, which required good way on the boat. Many ladies preferred landing and re-embarking below. It was now that my turn came. The little innocents were under a delusion that if a sailor steered there could be no danger; and I, equally ignorant, and seated between them, with pleasure undertook the job. However, no accident happened during my time. [Sidenote: Sept. 8.] We celebrated the coronation of William IV. Although we had no guns, there were plenty in Woolwich to salute, and all hands got extra grog and, in the dockyard, a holiday. Among the Captain’s numerous visitors whose society I enjoyed, was Theodore Hook, in whose company no one could have been without finding he was a remarkable man. His wit was ready and acute. [Sidenote: Sept. 22.] His Majesty, accompanied by Queen Adelaide, came to see the launch of the _Thunderer_, 84. We were in a more fit state to be seen; although in dock, we had royal yards across, and the band of the Fusilier Guards on board. Our Sailor King was in a playful humour, and observing from the dockyard that the officers had a ladies’ party in the gunroom to lunch, and the skylight off, made a sign not to be noticed. He dropped the point of his sword on to the mess-table, holding the knot, to the astonishment of the ladies and amusement of all. His Majesty wore the uniform of Lord High Admiral, and was the last holder of that office. [Sidenote: Nov. 2.] We sailed from the Basin, came to off Purfleet, and took in powder. Sailed next day, and came to at the Little Nore, saluting the flag of Admiral Sir John de la Poer Beresford. [Sidenote: Nov. 6.] Came to in the downs; saluted the flag of Rear-Admiral Warren. [Sidenote: Nov. 10.] Sailed. Anchored at Spithead, saluting flag of Admiral Sir Thomas Foley. [Sidenote: Nov. 17.] Sailed by St. Helens; anchored in Torbay, where we remained three more days for the last farewell letters, Captain being engaged to be married. We had the usual sea-voyage, with its porpoises, dolphins, and flying-fish leaving their train of phosphoric light through the water at night, especially when the wind had any southing in it. Otherwise I thought myself too old a mariner to feel any interest. [Sidenote: Dec. 2.] The Captain detained the _Neptune_, an American brig, to put more letters on board, an opportunity we availed ourselves of. [Sidenote: Dec. 14.]