French fleet proceeded to eastward, Admirals communicating, when it was proposed by Parseval Deschênes to Sir Charles Napier that, to prove to the Russians the _entente cordiale_ that existed between our nations, the English screw-liners should each take a French liner in tow, and proceed in line past the Russian forts, the French Admiral, as senior officer, waiving his right of precedence. His proposition was not acceded to by Sir Charles Napier; the excuse that “His Captains were too inexperienced to undertake such an operation”! [Sidenote: Off Kronstadt, June 26.] 5 A.M.--Fleet weighed under steam. French fleet in co., proceeding easy to eastward. 11 A.M.--Approached near enough to Kronstadt to observe the mastheads of the Russian fleet and then wore. 1.50.--Came to in 16 fathoms. Anchored in two columns. Frigates and steamers sent to reconnoitre. [Sidenote: June 27.] _Driver_ arrived. Cholera made its appearance on board both fleets. Elliot, Clarence Paget, and myself took advantage of a kind invitation from Lord Lichfield for a sail on board the _Gondola_, as we might run pretty close to the entrance of Kronstadt without attracting attention. [Illustration: _The_ Gondola _Yacht off Tolbeacon Light_.] We were some distance inside the Tolbeacon Lighthouse, as were also the cruising frigates, when we observed a large Russian steamer standing out. When it was thought advisable for us to haul to the wind, the sudden change of motion and difference of size of ships had the effect on me of a stomach pump; and when it was reported that the Russian was steering for us, I considered myself a Russian prisoner! However, cruisers quickly discovered our position and ran towards the Russian, which returned to Kronstadt. This led to a report getting into the English papers that we had been chased by the Emperor Nicholas in person. [Sidenote: June 28.] Hoisted masthead flags, and at noon both fleets fired a royal salute in honour of anniversary of Her Majesty’s coronation. On these occasions the French and English flags were hoisted together. My distillery was never at rest, supplying fleet with the purest of water. [Sidenote: June 29.] 9.30 A.M.--Weighed; made all plain sail for exercise. During our stay off Kronstadt, steamers and boats from the fleet were continually sounding on the north side of the island, thereby pointing out from whence an attack might be expected, when nothing of the sort was ever contemplated. [Sidenote: July 1.] There was a creek that ran up a considerable distance to the rear of the Kronstadt Batteries. Scarcely a ship of the line that did not submit to the consideration of the Commander-in-Chief an exact model of the boats and spars, with weight and draught of each, by which heavy ordnance could be conveyed to the rear of the Russian Batteries. The Commander-in-Chief’s fore-cabin was half full of these clever and interesting models, which were not even acknowledged. [Sidenote: July 2.]