The report to which we gave currency last week, relative to the return of Sir Henry Keppel, has since been confirmed; and we understand another flag officer has been nominated successor to Sir Stephen Lushington on the Brazil Station. On the return of the gallant Admiral, the scandal with which his name has been associated will be fully investigated, and the danger of acting upon an _ex parte_ statement will probably receive another proof. Had Sir Henry Keppel tamely submitted to the sentence of removal from the Cape Station he would have been pleading guilty to a charge of a serious nature, and we give him full credit, therefore, for having declined to accept the South American command under such circumstances. This treatment of a British flag officer shows to what a miserable ebb the Navy has fallen. Had a general officer been complained of by a Colonial Government he would not have been summarily dismissed or transferred to another command unheard or untried. But, alas! the Navy has no _Head_, able or willing to maintain the independence of its officers. Any paltry complaint against a naval officer, when urged by a civilian, or coming from the Horse Guards or Home Office, assumes a degree of importance which it takes a deal of correspondence and explanations to lessen or set aside. The naval officer is often condemned on the shallowest of pretexts, and has no Court of Appeal. With respect to the alleged scene or scenes on board the _Forte_, we have heard so many different versions that we decline to offer any decided opinion; but we contend on behalf of the service for that measure of justice which is never denied to the veriest criminal--a fair and full trial before condemnation. It may turn out that Sir George Grey acted with unbecoming and causeless impetuosity, and that a British Admiral was moved from a valuable appointment at the request of the Home Secretary, because an irascible civilian Governor chose to pick a quarrel. We demand on the part of the Navy fair play. We ask no more, and we are satisfied that if it is not freely accorded by the Board of Admiralty, there are champions of justice enough in the House of Commons to take up the cudgels. [Sidenote: June 26.] H.M. Minister, Mr. Christie, embarked on board _Emerald_. Sunset, resigned command of South American station to Warren, and shifted flag to _Emerald_, embarking with suite at same time. Was informed that during the night between fifty and sixty of the _Forte’s_ crew deserted. [Sidenote: June 27.] 10 P.M.--Weighed. Although at that late hour, the crew of _Forte_ voluntarily waited up to greet their old Admiral and Captain with a succession of parting cheers. Blue lights were burned as we steamed round and stood out of Rio Harbour. Thirty-seven years since I first entered it! [Sidenote: July 2.]