This looked like business. Before giving answer, certain inquiries to be made. My name would be removed from Her Majesty’s navy list, for which I should require remuneration. A certain number of warships: a couple of ironclads to begin with, and a place to reside in while ships were being manned and fitted. £34,000 for loss of commission. The first and greatest difficulty was consent of wife. The Paraguayan agents appeared to be well satisfied. I intended to select, as soon as a proper ship had been provided, the beautiful bay, Bahia, off the Brazilian coast, as place of rendezvous. I had to provide officers in anticipation. The agents had already provided charts, which I daily studied. However, it all ended without smoke. Means were not forthcoming; the whole affair was quickly forgotten! [Sidenote: April 21.] To Cosham, on Chamberlayne’s drag to Hambledown. Hunt races. Capital meeting. CHAPTER LXXXIII HOME LIFE [Sidenote: 1866. Yachting, April 25.] Embarked on board _Dream_, George Bentinck, in time for dinner. At about 9 P.M. a fruit trading steamer, weather fine, water smooth, moon shining bright, ran into two yachts: _Ione_, Captain R. Quin, R.N., and _Intrepid_, Count F. du Monceaux, carrying away their bowsprits, damaging bows and knocking two men overboard. _Ione_ was to have joined us on a cruise. [Sidenote: _Dream_, R.Y.S., April 26.] 10 A.M.--Got under weigh: light breeze from eastward. Cook, the same artist Whichcote had in _Enchantress_. _Dream_ substantially built and very comfortable; yawl rigged. Made fast to a buoy in Portland Harbour. _St. George_ lying here, commanded by old shipmate E. Rice. Laid out trammel for red mullet, which are generally plentiful and good here, but caught whiting pont only. [Sidenote: Portland, April 27.] After breakfast landed with Bentinck. Convicts at work; got some fair specimens of ammonite and fossil shells. Accompanied Rice on board _St. George_; guns, stores on board, ready for service, to be manned from coastguard. [Sidenote: April 29.] Bentinck read prayers to a well-conducted and attentive crew. [Sidenote: April 30.] [Sidenote: May 3.] Visited works on the heights by convicts. When the fortifications are finished, where will the men come from to garrison them? Saw the fossil trees; some stumps erect, and others buried in the solid stone. [Sidenote: May 4.] My May’s birthday--promising little yearling. [Sidenote: Cherbourg, May 5.] Visited Consul Hammond on the hill, from whose garden the view is very fine. Consul has two charming daughters. He came on board to dine. [Sidenote: May 7.] Slipped from the buoy. Sent a boat in for grub, standing off and on. Made fast to a buoy under breakwater. [Sidenote: May 10.] Weather tide, nasty swell; felt too sea-sick to turn out before 2 P.M., when we got into Portland Roads. Took leave of kind host in time for mutton chops, wife dining with the Dean. [Sidenote: Bishopstoke, May 20.]