We did not get away until the morning of the 9th. Among our passengers was Dr. Milman, the newly-appointed Bishop of Calcutta. He read prayers on Sunday and gave us a short extemporary discourse. On Perim we have a lighthouse: some eight years ago, the mail steamer on passing observed a French brig-of-war surveying; and on the afternoon of the next day the French captain mentioned to Colonel Coghlan, the Governor of Aden, with whom he was dining, that he was going the next morning to take possession of Perim in the name of the French Government. Coghlan, without rising from table, or taking any apparent notice of what had been said, pencilled a few words on a scrap of paper to the Captain of Artillery ordering him to proceed at once with a party and hoist the British colours on the island. The French captain’s disappointment the next day when he found himself forestalled would have been worth seeing. A correspondence took place between the two Governments; when it was proved that we had prior possession during our war with France, when we retained Perim, but under a promise we should not fortify it. Cain is supposed to have been buried there, or thereabouts. [Sidenote: Aden, Mar. 14.] Early on Thursday morning we came to in Aden. The Resident, Colonel Merewether, immediately sent off to invite me to Government House while the _Surat_ coaled, and sent his carriage to the landing place. It was pleasant to get into a cool airy house, and to write one’s letters in peace and quiet. After dinner at three o’clock, we were taken to see those wonderful water tanks that have lately been cleaned, whose ancient date no one has been able to decide. The cement with which the rock’s sides and bottom of the ravine are lined, as well as the steps, is as perfect and in as good repair as if yesterday’s work. They had had no rain for eighteen months, but an aqueduct was in progress, which will shortly bring a supply from a stream some six miles distant. Experienced much attention and kindness from Captain Dunn. [Sidenote: Galle, Mar. 23.] The cleanliness and comfort of the _Surat_ spoilt us for any other vessel. Nevertheless, on arriving at Point de Galle at 8 A.M. on the 23rd, we were transferred to _Ottawa_. The yards were manned as the last little attention the Captain could pay me on quitting the ship. On landing at Point de Galle I was received by Colonel Hodgson, Brigadier-General and Commander-in-Chief. In the reign of George II. this officer’s grandfather and the then Commodore Keppel had been selected to act together for the capture of Belle Isle from the French: a friendship between the families was then established and has continued ever since. We passed the heat of the day in the “Queen’s House,” occupied by the General, who, after having entertained us at dinner, embarked with us on board the _Ottawa_: he going to the Straits Settlements on an official inspection.