Hove to off Smyrna. Saluted French Commodore, communicated with Consul, filled and made sail. Observed fleet at anchor in Vourla Bay; signal made, “Keep under way”; communicated with Admiral, and returned to Smyrna with despatches. [Sidenote: Feb. 15.] Rejoined flag. High land covered with snow. [Sidenote: Feb. 20.] 4 P.M.--Rounded Cape Karabonu, ran through Scio passage, and shaped course for Anti-Milo. [Sidenote: Feb. 25.] Running along shore, observed a United States man-of-war coming out of Navarino Harbour. [Sidenote: Mar. 8.] Ran into Milo Harbour, in order that the pilot (Mitchelle) might see his wife. Met the “Behind” cutter coming out. Ran between Serpho and Siphanto. [Sidenote: Mar. 10.] I need not bother my kind readers with the number of times _Childers_ had to pass through this beautiful Archipelago; no yachtsman could have enjoyed himself more. [Sidenote: Malta, Mar. 17.] Worked up the Quarantine Harbour; found _Favourite_ and _Columbine_. [Sidenote: April 22.] Slipped from the buoy, made sail, having been ordered to Dardanelles with despatches for our Ambassador at Constantinople. As I had to go to Malta before rejoining the fleet, Captain Percy, of the _Canopus_, had asked me to bring back his kinsman, young Drummond, to whom Ingestre had given a passage in the _Tyne_. I mention his name here, for Drummond, a promising young Guardsman, was the cause of doing away with the mastheading of midshipmen--a good old custom, which had been in existence long before I was born. The case was this. One day at sea, Ingestre sent a mid to the gunroom to say he wished to speak to Drummond, who was playing backgammon, and delayed obeying the summons until he finished his game. When he appeared, Ingestre told him that on board a man-of-war orders must be obeyed, and, in joke, said he would next time send him to the masthead. On which Drummond replied he would see the Captain blowed first! Ingestre hailed the main-top, and ordered a hauling-line to be sent down. Henry Murray, one of the Lieutenants, seeing his Captain had been put out, advised Drummond to mount just a few steps of the rigging, and he would accompany him. Which advice being followed, the matter ought to have ended. The story was talked about in Malta as an amusing joke, but in London was viewed differently. The incident was referred to in Parliament. Lord Brougham put the question to Lord Auckland, as to an “outrage” alleged to have been committed by a Captain in the Navy, in respect to a gentleman who was a passenger on board his ship on the Mediterranean station.