Of course the children wanted everything. Colin got the model of a native boat, May an ebony elephant. I treated myself to a pair of ivory ones, which were removed from the sitting-room table while we were at dinner, most probably by the man to whom I had paid fifteen shillings for them. We enjoyed a fresh-water bath. In the adjoining room was an enormous bed, big enough not only for the Dutch Governors of former days, but Vrouws and families! Among the callers was Wodehouse of the Civil Service, a nice fellow, agreeable as most of that numerous family are. The harbour-master conducted us on board the Government boat. It was dark, but it did not require much light to find that the deck was covered with some thirty or forty children, varying from the age of six downwards. [Sidenote: Nov. 27.] Coaled at Aden. [Sidenote: Suez, Dec. 3.] Suez.--The _Surat_ was the first of the P. and O. steamers that landed her passengers alongside the wharf close to the new dock. A train took us to the hotel, where we found the great traveller, Sir Samuel, with Lady, Baker; they had lately been at Quidenham. We had a walk and talk with them. [Sidenote: Dec. 4.] The train took us off at 8 P.M. without giving us a chance of seeing anything of the canal or country. After fourteen hours’ suffering we got out of the train and embarked in a small steamer close by, which conveyed us to Marseilles. Hence across France and so home. CHAPTER CVI SOME FAREWELL NOTES [Sidenote: 1869. Dec. 14.] My apprehensions about my poor friend, Vice-Admiral George Henry Seymour, were realized. Nearly the first news on our arrival was that of his sad and untimely death. He had early dropped the name of George, as it was that of his respected parent, the good Admiral of the Fleet, Sir George H. Seymour, G.C.B., to whose residence in Eaton Square I hastened, and was received as the oldest friend of his beloved child. There was a letter addressed to me on the table with touching details, which I will not reproduce in its entirety. Henry was at the time of his death a Lord of the Admiralty and Member for Antrim. The following are extracts from his father’s letter:-- EATON SQUARE, _December 22, 1869_. MY DEAR KEPPEL--From the long and sincere friendship which existed between my dear Henry and yourself, I feel certain that no one will have felt a sharper pang than yourself when you heard of his untimely death. Sir George Seymour in the conclusion of a deeply interesting letter, adds:-- You have many friends, but never possessed a more sincere one than he was to you. He marked it on the very day of his death, when his eyes flashed on seeing some one approach him; he thought it was you, and holding out his hand, with a faint smile as he did so, mentioned your name. He expired on July 24.