Both Governor and Judge had made preparations to receive us, and had sent their carriages. It was arranged, as the steamer would go alongside the P. and O. wharf early to-morrow, we should land there more conveniently, when the wife and children should go to Sir Benson and Lady Maxwell, and I to Sir Harry and Lady Ord. [Sidenote: Nov. 8.] As the _Salsette_ hauled alongside the coaling pier, I saw my old friend, W. H. Read. He was one of a deputation who had come to invite me, on the part of the community, to a luncheon on the morrow. Large dinner at Government House--a palace. Whampoa there. He gave me a pair of cassowaries to add to the museum on board _Rodney_, also some pigs to establish a breed at Bishopstoke! [Sidenote: Nov. 9.] Had intended to have paid a visit to the _Rodney_, but continued rain set in, which lasted till it was time to start for the entertainment, which took place in the P. and O. Office building. His Excellency kindly drove me there. The room was prettily fitted with flags and flowers, while on the walls were the names in large letters, formed with flowers, of the ships I had served in on the station. Beginning with _Magicienne_, in which I was a Lieutenant, there came in succession, _Dido_, _Mæander_, _Raleigh_, finishing with the old _Rodney_ (now without flag flying). The chair was occupied by my old friend W. H. Read, with Sir Benson Maxwell, the Chief Justice, on his left. The tables were full; the guest of the day received with cheers! The chairman came at once to the toast which had brought them together, and went into a long detail of the ships in which I had served and commanded on this station, beginning with _Magicienne_. A laugh was raised when he alluded to the Tumongong of Muar offering me the hand of his daughter. “Then,” Read said, “there was the _Dido_. I remember her well, with her taunt spars, sky-sail poles, flying kites, and graceful hull, dashing about the station in every direction, and always in for a fight when one was to be had.--The _Mæander_, with Sir James Brooke; his merits recognised, the K.C.B. installation took place here. The _Raleigh_, in which fifty-gun frigate he sailed into this beautiful harbour from the westward to show his confidence in its safety, and the wisdom of the P. and O. in taking his advice when he told them of its existence in 1849.--Fatshan, ‘the smartest cutting-out affair of modern times.’ Last comes the _Rodney_, of which vessel I can only say we have seen too little; but we endorse the verdicts of Hong Kong and Yokohama: he never undertook what he did not carry out, and a better passport to posterity after such a stirring life no man need possess.” Read concluded his speech by asking them to drink “Long life and prosperity to the gallant Admiral, with three times three--and don’t be afraid of bringing the roof down!”