A few days after this, the _London_ and its bridge was in more confusion than ever, and the landing of the Sardinian troops appeared a mere trifle compared with this unexpected movement. It was the departure of the fleet for Kertch, and the whole of the troops, horses, provisions, ammunition, &c., passed over our then almost uninhabitable _City of London_. I must say, the precision and celerity with which this fleet was embarked and despatched was admirable. The evening before, I had promised to go early and superintend the cooking of one of the regiments, when, to my great surprise, I found the colonel, his officers, and men upon deck just embarking. I was with them the afternoon before till three o’clock, and they then knew nothing about it. Admiral Boxer came and informed me that the _London_ was to follow the expedition, and he was under the necessity of removing us, not much to our sorrow, for the everlasting thoroughfare made our nautical _London_ very disagreeable; and it was with great delight that we left _town_ for a quieter and better habitation, observing at the same time to the admiral, that I feared I was in disgrace both with the army and navy. “Why so, Monsieur Soyer?” “Because the Minister-at-War turned me out of London at a few days’ notice, and you, admiral, do the same kind of thing in as many minutes. You are about transferring me, it seems, to the _Baraguay d’Hilliers_.” “Ah, and a fine ship she is, too, Monsieur Soyer.” Sir John Macneil and Colonel Tulloch had quitted the _Baraguay d’Hilliers_, a very fine vessel, and we had their apartment in the state cabin, so called because it was so large and commodious. The _Baraguay d’Hilliers_ was moored next to the _Abundance_, and so close that we were able to walk from one ship to the other, which gave me the facility of watching the process and system of that important floating bakery, as well as the perfection of its mechanism. The first two samples of bread made were, one very white, and the other rather brown. Captain Johnson asked me which I liked best. I replied, “The brown, by all means, for the troops; and I am sure that Lord Raglan, Sir John Macneil, Dr. Hall, and other competent gentlemen, will express the same opinion.” “Monsieur Soyer, I must differ from you, for this is much finer and whiter.” “It is because it is so white that I object to it. The change from almost black Turkish bread to the very white will create a bad feeling amongst the troops, who will fancy they have been imposed upon. For my taste, give me the whitey-brown; there is less show and more nutriment in it: besides, it is better adapted for the purpose.” “Well,” said Captain Johnson, “for my own eating, I prefer the white; though I must say the other is very good.” “Depend upon it, captain, the soldiers want food, not luxuries. I’ll tell you what I will do for you: I am going to head-quarters, and will take the samples to Lord Raglan and Dr. Hall.”