THE _RALEIGH_ [Sidenote: 1856. _Raleigh_, Nov. 20.] A fine frigate has ever been the favourite class of ship with seamen as well as officers, and I venture to state a finer crew never left a port. List of officers:-- _Commander_--Edward W. Turnour. _Secretary_--Matless G. Autey. _Lieutenants_--James G. Goodenough, Viscount Gilford, H.R.H. Prince Victor of Hohenlohe, James S. Graham, W. F. Johnson. _Master_--William H. Williams. _Captain of Marines_--Thomas Magin. _Second Lieutenant of Marines_--Charles L. Owen. _Chaplain_--Josiah Thompson. _Surgeon_--John T. Crawford. _Paymaster_--James G. G. Simmonds. _Naval Instructor_--John L. Laverty. _Assistant-Surgeon_--J. G. T. Forbes. _Midshipmen_--Lord Charles Scott, Hon. Victor A. Montagu, Hon. F. G. Crofton, Henry F. Stephenson, A. E. Dupuis, F. R. Foster, Hugh B. Hammersley, Edward Pilkington, A. Paget, Hardy M‘Hardy. * * * * * [Sidenote: At Sea, Nov. 20.] Friends Henry Seymour, Eyre, and George Lennox enjoying themselves. [Sidenote: Nov. 21.] Late in the evening before we came to Plymouth Sound. [Sidenote: Nov. 22.] Saluted Sir William Parker’s flag at 9 A.M. Called on Newmans at Royal Hotel, where I took a room. Visited Hartmans at Saltram, where I found my cousins Mrs. Yorke and daughter. Dined with Sam Truscott--a character. [Sidenote: Nov. 23.] Breakfasted with Caroline and Louisa Newman. In afternoon Prince Victor, Graham, Lord Charles Scott, Harry Stephenson, and I to Saltram to dine and sleep. [Sidenote: Nov. 24.] Returned after breakfast to Plymouth. Took Cecilia Yorke and Miss Coryton on board _Raleigh_. [Sidenote: Nov. 25.] Was allowed to see Lord Mount-Edgecumbe; cruel wreck of a handsome and intellectual man. Too down to dine anywhere. Tea with Newman girls. [Sidenote: Nov. 26.] Weighed at 11 and ran out of the Sound. What may not happen before I again land in England! [Sidenote: Madeira, Dec. 9.] Anchored before 1 in Funchal Roads. Kindly received by friend Stoddard, putting up brother Tom and four youngsters. Hired for the time a horse Miss O’Rorke used to ride. [Sidenote: Dec. 10.] Drove Miss Stoddard in pony carriage. Before leaving my brother-in-law, Harry Stephenson, commissioned me to bring home a pipe of the best Madeira. I applied to my friend of many years, now Consul, Mr. Stoddard. He had ceased to be a wine merchant, and the remaining pipes of the best were put aside as part of the marriage portion of his charming daughters; he left it to me to make interest with them to obtain a couple of pipes of this precious wine. I had the pipes encased in extra casks and stowed in the hold of the _Raleigh_. (It is well I did so.) [Sidenote: Dec. 11.] Prince Victor, good fellow! wishing another day in Madeira, consented to remain over Friday. Rio given up. Rode with Miss Lund. Evening at Stoddard’s. [Sidenote: Dec. 12.]