On December 7, 1741, the 1872 men had dwindled down to 201. Of the six ships of war only one, the _Centurion_, still held her course. She was leaking an inch an hour, but she showed bright to the world under a new coat of paint. On this day Anson sent home a letter to the Admiralty (from Canton in China). The letter was delivered 173 days later. In spite of the miseries of the service, there were compensations. The entry off Payta-- "1741. 12 Nov.--I keept Possession of the Town three days and employed my Boats in plundering"-- must have been pleasant to write; and the entries for Tuesday, June 21, 1743, and following days, become almost incoherent:-- {xvii} "reced 112 baggs and 6 Chests of Silver. "11 Baggs of Virgin silver 72 Chests of Dollers and baggs of Dollers 114 Chests and 100 baggs of Dollers 4 baggs of wrought Plate and Virgin Silver." The arrival at Portsmouth is thus described:-- "1744. Friday, 15 June.--Came to with the S Bower in 10 fath water and at 9 began to Moor." Later interesting entries are:-- "Monday, 2nd July.--Fresh gales and Cloudy sent away the Treasure in 32 Waggons to London with 139 Officers and Seamen to guard it. "Thursday, 19 July.--Mod and fair, found in the Fish Room three Chests of Treasure" (which had been overlooked). The last entry of all is for:-- "Friday, 20 July.--Hard Gales with rain at 4 p.m. all the men on the spot were paid and the Pendant was Struck." An old print represents an officer of the _Centurion_ dropping booty into the apron of a lady friend. Behind him the waggons and their guard proceed, with a great display of flags. The passing of the treasure was acclaimed with much enthusiasm both upon the road and in London. It was no doubt the biggest prize ever brought to England by a single ship. Anson's share made him a rich man. The rest of the survivors profited according to their rank. Anson's subsequent career may be told in a few words. He was created Lord Anson on June 13, 1747. From 1751 to 1756 and from 1757 till his death he was a very competent and energetic First Lord of the Admiralty. He became Admiral of the Fleet in 1761. He died on June 6, 1762. The figurehead of the _Centurion_, the lion which "was very loose" in the Cape Horn storms of 1741, was preserved at the family seat at Shugborough till it fell to pieces. A portrait of Anson, which has been frequently copied and engraved, still exists there. The face is that of {xviii} a man placidly and agreeably contented. It is the face of the polite and even spirit who "always kept up his usual composure and steadiness," and only once allowed joy to "break through" "the equable and unvaried character which he had hitherto preserved." Something of that character is in this placid and agreeable story told by Mr. Walter, chaplain, from Anson's private records.