[Sidenote: April 17.] Almack’s balls were removed from Brighton to Willis’s Rooms, St. James’s. [Sidenote: May.] The Maynard family from Paris created a sensation. They were not only uncommonly handsome, but peculiar. They had a brother in the Blues, whose friendship I established; but in the middle of my little game I found myself appointed to the command of the _Childers_, 16, which my brother-in-law, Harry Stephenson, had obtained for me through his friend the Hon. George Dundas, a Sea Lord. One of the signatures to my appointment was that of Sir Thomas Hardy. I think my kind patron felt the wrong he had done His Majesty’s service, as he recommended my not appearing at the Admiralty, and, as the Board were kind enough to allow me to nominate the commissioned officers, there was no occasion to go there. [Sidenote: May 17.] Sir James Graham presented me at the levée on my appointment to the _Childers_. CHAPTER XIII THE _CHILDERS_ BRIG [Sidenote: 1834. May.] The _Childers_ brig was lying in dock at Portsmouth. The First Lieutenant, George Goldsmith, had been serving in the _Madagascar_ frigate, under that distinguished officer, the Hon. Sir Robert Spencer, who was succeeded by another equally good Captain, Edmund Lyons. The Second Lieutenant, Grey Skipwith, was just promoted out of the _Royal George_ yacht--a smart fellow in every way, son of a grand old sporting baronet, who lived at Newbold Hall, Warwickshire. Jonas Coaker, my old shipmate in the _Tweed_, was Master; a finer seaman never broke a biscuit. Goldsmith and I found the brig in dock, but not afloat. A small staff, with a yard and a half of narrow bunting, was secured to the taffrail, and H.M.S. _Childers_ declared to be in commission. Reported the auspicious event to the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sir Thomas Williams, G.C.B., and afterwards to Sir F. L. Maitland, K.C.B., Admiral Superintendent. The next step was a pole, with the Union Jack suspended out of the first-floor window of the Bedford-in-Chase, on the Hard. “His Majesty’s ship _Childers’_ Rendezvous.” Lost no time in issuing hand-bills to the following effect:-- “Wanted, Petty Officers and Able Seamen for His Majesty’s ship _Childers_. COMMANDER HENRY KEPPEL. Now fitting for the Mediterranean Station. _N.B._--None but the RIGHT SORT need apply.” These were posted at all the large seaports. I secured lodgings on the “Hard”; feeding was accomplished at the “Keppel’s Head.”