Monsieur Gizholme, Lieutenant commanding the _Cocyte_ steamer, managed everything: balls, dinners, dances, picnics in a lovely and interesting country. Brierly meanwhile happy with his sketch-book. [Sidenote: Tahiti.] Among guests I had the honour of entertaining Queen Pomare. She had been, and appeared very happy, and was treated with every kindness and attention. Monsieur D. P. Nicolai, commanding the troops, added considerably to my collection of shells. I had the pleasure of renewing acquaintance in the Baltic with Commodore Bonard, with Gizholme, and other officers. [Sidenote: July 18.] Having come from the west, owing to our difference in longitude, found I had a day to spare, which was a good excuse for lingering in Tahiti, therefore we gave ourselves a second “Thursday, July 18.” [Sidenote: July 21.] Pilot on board, weighed. Having saluted the French flag and that of Commodore Bonard, stood over for the island of Guimo. Came to in 19 fathoms in Opuum Harbour, where we have a depot of coals wasting for want of covering. This is likewise a beautiful and well-sheltered harbour with good fresh water easily obtained. [Sidenote: July 23.] Weighed at daylight; ran out of harbour. Worked over to Papeete to land our pilot and pick up their mail. 10 P.M.--Boat returned filled, and made sail to the northward of the island. [Sidenote: Valparaiso, Aug. 23.] After a month’s light and variable winds, saluted the flag of Rear-Admiral Phipps Hornby, flying on board _Inconstant_, 36, Captain John Shepherd. We were towed into the anchorage by the boats of French and English men-of-war. There were besides _Driver_, steam sloop, 6, Commander C. Johnson; _Champion_, 14, Commander John Hayes. [Illustration: _A Coral Atoll._] On my reporting myself to the Commander-in-Chief, he informed me he had two reprimands from the Admiralty--one for the affair at Macao, and the other for interfering with the senior officer on the Australian Station. I applied, in proper form, through my Admiral, to the Board of Admiralty for two courts-martial. The Admiral informed me that the _Inconstant_ had a freight on board and was homeward bound, but that I being senior, and _Mæander_ longer in commission, might take freight out of _Inconstant_ and so go home, or remain on the station for another year and take the chance of picking up a freight myself. It took me but a few minutes to decide, knowing, too, that such arrangement would exactly suit Captain Shepherd, officers, and men of both ships as well as friend Brierly. The Admiral’s was a charming establishment. Besides Mrs. Phipps Hornby, and her sister Mrs. Parker, there were three daughters. Their son, Geoffrey, was Flag-Lieutenant. They were in the house lately vacated by the Admiral’s predecessor, Sir George Seymour, where they were sure to find good stabling if nothing else. [Sidenote: Aug. 24.]