Got through the returning of thanks with what composure I could muster before so many good old friends. Sir Benson Maxwell made a kind speech about the wife and children, which was warmly received, and to which I did my best to respond. The meeting, which was a great success, broke up only in time to go on board the steamer. My farewell cheer was from the last of that noble class of ships, the _Rodney_. Friends had collected on the P. and O. wharf to give us “one cheer more.” [Sidenote: Penang, Nov. 11.] At 8 A.M. we anchored off Penang, my kind old friend Lewis the first on board to welcome me; also a letter from Colonel Anson inviting us to pass the few hours of our stay with him. The steamer remaining for six hours, we had only time to make a hurried call on the Lewises before going on board. Old Jack Rodyk on the pier to see me off. Adieu, Penang; and adieu for ever the Straits and China! [Sidenote: Galle, Nov. 17.] Came to before breakfast in what is called Galle Harbour, but an open and dangerous anchorage. Money has been voted to build a breakwater. We found no fewer than five of the P. and O. steamers, the _Surat_ being told off to take the passengers to Suez. _Surat_ the same I came out in near three years ago, but my old friend Dunn no longer in command, having lodged his ship on a reef in the Red Sea, from which she had a narrow escape. Keppel Garnier went at once on board the _Surat_ to see about berths, while Risk went on shore to see if we could not have possession of what is called “Queen’s House,” the original residence of the Dutch Governors, who thoroughly understood comfort. It was noon before he returned, it having been necessary to telegraph to the Governor, Sir Hercules Robinson, at Colombo, for permission; the reply being, “Certainly, if not occupied by Lady Napier.” Lady Napier was on her way to join her husband in Calcutta, and sailed shortly after our arrival in the harbour. Our steamer was to start again at 5 P.M. for Suez, but it was a pleasant change for the children and ourselves, if only for a few hours. [Illustration: _Jack Rodyk._] We had no sooner taken possession than the house was inundated with venders of all sorts--curios, inlaid workboxes, and desks of antique fashion, carved elephants in ebony and ivory, tortoise-shell combs, porcupine quills, walking sticks, precious stones by a dirty native, who called himself “Stony Merchant,” whose goods we were informed were all manufactured in Birmingham.