The next three or four years are likely to be the most eventful of my life. _Postscript to 1847_ I cannot close my diary this year without mention of the sore trouble in which my friend Brooke was involved. The commencement, indeed, of the persecution from which he emerged stainless, but at the cost of mental anxiety which ultimately caused his death. As early as 1843, Brooke thought he had reason to suspect the good faith and honour of his London agent, Mr. Henry Wise of Austin Friars. In his confidential letters to his friend, Jack Templer, he had referred to his growing uneasiness at Wise’s management of his affairs. Letters passed upon the subject: Wise’s replies seldom being satisfactory. In spite of facts, Brooke did not break off relations with him. Brooke had placed his “Journal” at my disposal, and Templer brought a mass of private letters from Brooke relating to his policy and doings in Sarawak. Not deeming myself competent to undertake the construction of the _Dido_ book, I placed these materials, as well as my diaries, in the hands of Mr. Jerdan, editor of the _Court Journal_, and a former acquaintance. We conferred continually, as the record already written has shown, and worked amicably enough together. Jerdan improperly allowed Wise access to these letters, as well as Brooke’s “Journal,” in spite of their containing references of a disparaging nature about Wise. In this way the seeds of future mischief were sown. Wise saw that Brooke suspected him, and under legal compulsion only did he return the letters to Templer. However, he had made copies and used them as he willed. Then came the formation of the Eastern Archipelago Company (without sanction from Brooke), which had at bottom a scheme to buy out Brooke’s rights in Sarawak and work the country from one point only--that of making money. Brooke refused to give up the trust reposed in him by the Rajah and people of Sarawak, came home later on, brought a lawsuit against the Directors of the Eastern Archipelago Company, and won it. The Directors were convicted of fraud in putting a false certificate on the charter as to the amount of capital subscribed. It was, in fact, a bogus prospectus. Mr. Wise had got £18,000 out of it, and much more besides. Finding a ready ear in Mr. David Hume, better known in the Navy as the “Revenue Cutter,” and who loved a grievance, Wise tried to turn the tables on Brooke once more, alleging his “dreadful treatment” of the Dyaks as an excuse. However, “this cock would not fight.” Brooke was the lion of the hour in 1847, and was appointed Governor of Labuan. I have always held that ropes were pulled by Wise’s familiars and himself to get Brooke, Napier, myself, and other truthful witnesses out of England in order to further their plans in floating this fraudulent company. CHAPTER XXXVIII THE _MÆANDER_ [Sidenote: 1848. Jan. 1.] Adieu for a while to Quidenham. Farewell, dear father. By rail to London. Business at Admiralty.