7 A.M.--Came to off St. Salvador in the famous Bahia Bay. Found _Curlew_. Exchanged salutes with Brazilian flag. Noon, Royal salute in commemoration of Brazilian independence. [Sidenote: July 3.] Ship visited by President to see our Minister and Armstrong guns. [Sidenote: July 4.] Weighed and steamed out of Bahia. [Sidenote: July 11.] Crossed the Equator for the last time! [Sidenote: Aug. 4.] Made the Eddystone Lighthouse. [Sidenote: Aug. 5.] After passing Cowes, furled sails, squared yards, rounded to, manned yards, and saluted Royal standard. Made sail, came to at Spithead. [Sidenote: Aug. 6.] Struck flag. Visited friend, George Gray, now Rear-Admiral Superintendent of the Dockyard. After luncheon, accompanied him towards the King’s Stairs, where he expected the Prince Consort to embark for Osborne, H.R.H. having been to inspect works in progress at Portsdown. [Sidenote: Portsmouth, Aug. 6.] On the Prince’s appearing in sight, I retired; however, His Royal Highness having spotted me, came direct and gave me a kind and cordial “welcome back.” I was much pleased and gratified at this--but still sore at the silence preserved at the Admiralty as to the cause of my removal from the Cape Station. Governor Sir George Grey had sent a message that “if I did not (on our second leaving Rio for the Cape) write home what had occurred, he would not.” Having since found out how little regard he had for speaking the truth, I believed that he had access by writing to some person near the Court, which would account for the mystery at the Admiralty. The kindness of the Prince Consort somewhat dispelled this idea. I proceeded to London. My brother-in-law, clever and truest friend, was no more! I tried to forget my Service troubles, and the notice I more than once received that I need not expect further employment. Sir Frederick Grey, First Sea Lord, was then the only person who, if not deceived, knew what had occurred on board the _Forte_. [Sidenote: Aug. to Sept.] On 5th December 1860, the First Lord wrote me a private letter, which I only received after my arrival in England stating, “Upon consideration, he thought it expedient to transfer me to another station.” A more just and honourable man than the Duke of Somerset there could not be. By whom had His Grace been misled? There are now living proofs in London of what did occur! Sir George Grey and myself are both old men, living within an hour’s walk. We must shortly be called to our full account. _P.S._--Poor fellow! since writing the above I find that Sir George Grey (born _Gray_) rests under the same roof as Nelson and Wellington! CHAPTER LXXX SHORE TIME [Sidenote: 1861. Oct.] Although surrounded by friends, England to me was no longer the same happy place. I felt aggrieved and annoyed. Jane West kindly undertook to share my troubles. [Sidenote: Oct. 31.]