Keppel does not know of my writing this letter to you. I have known him from a child. I am deeply pained at the publick disparagement. The recent demonstration at Portsmouth shows the estimation in which he is held by both services. Why should the Government ignore his merit? Will you, as an old friend, give me some explanation? On 27th August I received the following from Panmure:-- “MY DEAR STEENIE--The only bone between us is removed. I have taken the Queen’s pleasure in making Harry Keppel K.C.B.--Yours (Signed) PANMURE.” God bless you, my dear Harry. Ever your most devoted brother, HY. FRED. STEPHENSON. [I hope I may be excused for inserting this letter, but I can honestly declare that I had forgotten its existence until the present moment, 27th June 1898, when in turning over a heap of bygone manuscripts I came across it by accident. H. K.] [Sidenote: Nov. 3.] Took leave of my kind host and hostess. 4 P.M., embarked on board _Madras_ (P. and O.) hired transport; weighed at sunset. * * * * * Left the _Madras_ at Suez by rail to Cairo; wheels running on inverted iron saucers about five feet in diameter. Embarked at Alexandria on board P. and O. _Ripon_ for Southampton. Among passengers was Mrs. Moir, the widow of a doctor who had been killed by the mutineers, six hundred miles up country. She lost one of her children in her flight, but found it at Calcutta in the care of a friend who had picked the child up on the road. Lieutenant Campbell was also a passenger. He had made a wonderful escape from the mutineers at Fyzabad. The mutiny and its horrors, hairbreadth escapes of our friends, the courage of the English women, and the heroic work of Colin Campbell, Henry Havelock, Outram, Windham, and many more gallant soldiers, was the only subject of conversation on board the steamer. [Sidenote: Dec. 6.] On December 6 arrived at Southampton. Joined invalid wife at Bognor. [Sidenote: Dec. 27.] At Holkham; where we remained until end of year. CHAPTER LXIX ENGLAND [Sidenote: 1858. Jan. 1.] After a few days between brother Edward and friend Eyre we arrived in London. Brother Stephenson, as deputy-ranger, placed the lodge in Hyde Park at my disposal, which exactly suited the poor invalid. The approaching wedding of the Princess Royal with Prince Frederick William of Prussia caused the early winter months to be unusually gay. I hardly like to mention the names of those who were kind to me under the delusion that I had taken care of their sons in China. [Sidenote: Jan. 20.] Was at the state ball, Buckingham Palace, previous to the royal wedding, which took place on 25th. [Sidenote: Feb. 11.] Dined with Her Majesty, Buckingham Palace. [Sidenote: Feb. 12.] Dined with Rajah Brooke. [Sidenote: Feb. 21.]