Attended Admiral at a meeting at the Sailor’s Home; had to propose a resolution. * * * * * [Sidenote: Nov. 15.] It was the kind Commander-in-Chief’s intention to give me a parting dinner on sailing of _Raleigh_. But to make clear a small _contretemps_, I must explain. Among the Wardroom officers of the _Raleigh_ was my old friend the Rev. Josias Thompson. He had been with me many years, and, as is usual among old shipmates, had established the nickname of “Thomas.” Many knew him, as did the kind Chief, by no other. The morning for our leaving the regular Admiralty pilot, whose name was Thomas, was on board. Two steam tugs ordered from Dockyard in attendance; the wind being fair, had no idea, in a sailing frigate, of being towed. Took charge, and was in the act of making sail, when the dear Chief, who had been to Haslar to attend the funeral of an old shipmate, suddenly appeared on board, and turning to me said, “Don’t let me interfere, but is Mr. Thomas on board?” I said he was. “Where is he?” “Forward on the starboard side, standing on a gun carriage.” I was too busy making sail to go with him--the tide was rising. On inquiring who had attended the Commander-in-Chief, I found that he had gone forward, and making a bow to the pilot, stated that, as the Commodore was going to take a parting dinner, he hoped to have the pleasure of Mr. Thomas’s company. The ship ran out like the beauty she was, saluting Admiral’s flag before coming to anchor. Near dinner-time wife and self were among early arrivals. We noticed a gentleman standing on the rug by the fire with a white choker and new suit of clothes; no one seemed to know him. Dinner announced, the Admiral took in my wife, I, Lady Seymour. The turtle soup had been served, when the Admiral addressed our strange friend with, “Mr. Thomas, will you have the goodness to say grace?” The poor Pilot’s neighbour whispered to him, “Say ‘Thank God.’” Dinner over, the dear Admiral nudged my wife, saying, “That’s a queer parson of yours.” And then, in a louder voice, called out, “Mr. Thomas, have the goodness to return thanks.” I at the same time asking Lady Seymour “who Mr. Thomas was?” Lady Seymour turned to the butler and sent him to tell the Admiral that Captain Keppel had never seen that man before. At this moment some of the senior captains spotted our friend the pilot! He never afterwards met his friends in Portsmouth that they did not ask him to say grace. [Sidenote: _Raleigh_, Nov. 17.] Took leave of the clinker-built Quebec, the most comfortable hotel in Portsmouth. Brother Tom and I dining in gunroom. [Sidenote: Nov. 18.] Inspected by Commander-in-Chief Sir George Seymour. [Sidenote: Nov. 19.] Paid farewell visits. “Thomas” and I dined with George Lennox. Friend Edward Eyre arrived; embarked him and Lennox. After men’s dinner weighed and ran out by St. Helen’s. Brother Tom, in ill-health, going with me as far as the Cape of Good Hope. CHAPTER LXIV