At United Service Club we entertained the Duke of Malakoff at dinner. The _Raleigh’s_ crew had meanwhile arrived at Chatham. The dog, Mike, in addition to his performance at Fatshan, was at the storming of Canton, where he had a scaling-ladder to himself and wore two medals. His appearance was enough to clear the battery; the Chinamen fled, except those stopped by bullets. Lord Lansdowne was fond of dogs as well as music. At his request had Mike brought up from Chatham, and he was much admired. He had been given me by Captain Michael Quin, hence his name, who was paying off while _Raleigh_ was fitting out at Plymouth. Mike was unhappy away from a ship. He was returned to Chatham, and attended working parties on shore: I had not the heart to remove him. The months April, May, and June brought me into a society to which I had been unaccustomed. Although I enjoyed it, it hardly comes within a sailor’s life. [Sidenote: May 10.] Attended Her Majesty’s ball. * * * * * As the following is copied from an old engagement book and can interest near relations only, I advise my readers to skip this and try next chapter. * * * * * [Sidenote: June 1.] My pretty niece Annie Garnier married Colonel Edward Newdigate. [Sidenote: June 2.] Cheery dinner at “The Ship,” Greenwich--Admiral Milne, James Blyth, Charles Eden, and Colonel F. Campbell. [Sidenote: June 3.] Dined, Skinner’s Company. [Sidenote: June 5.] Lady Palmerston’s evening. [Sidenote: June 6.] Dined with Duchess of Richmond. [Sidenote: June 7.] Dined with Lady Downs. [Sidenote: June 11.] Dinner with Merchant Taylors. [Sidenote: June 12.] Dined with Sir John Thorolds. Evening, Duchess of Norfolk. [Sidenote: June 15.] 70 Cranbury Park for Bibury Races, with Tom Chamberlain. Have not time to describe the place here, but in it were four beautiful pictures by Romney of Lady Hamilton. Chamberlain’s son was in the Balaklava charge. On the retreat his horse was shot under him. He quietly took the saddle off, put it on his head for a protection, and calmly walked into camp. My sister Caroline, who was staying with her father-in-law at Bishopstoke, wrote me about a pretty cottage for sale. On my arrival there I found a small sylph swinging on the entrance gate, a daughter of Mr. Peter Wells. I bought the place, with some good Italian furniture, for £1500. There was a full-length picture by Swenton of a beautiful lady, occupying one end of the dining-room: this was the mother of my young friend Zöe on the gate (now Lady Brougham and Vaux). The lady was one of a handsome family, such as artists delighted in; the background of the picture was of trees, painted at Windsor Forest. [Sidenote: May 16.] Dined with H.R.H. Duke of Cambridge. [Sidenote: May 20.]