336 REMINISCENCES OF A VOYAGE TO AND FROM CHINA. 
crews of the outward-bound ships that passed us, and which were 
proceeding to the extended theatre and scenes of action we had left 
for ever. 
On doubling the South Foreland, we were desired to lay aside our 
sailing dress, and resume our go-a-shore habiliments. The press-gangs 
were then on the alert, and the officers knew that the crew would be 
mustered and thinned on our arrival at Gravesend. No sooner had we 
cast anchor, and the towing hawser of the Assistance thrown off, than 
the first lieutenant of that ship (our old friendly acquaintance!) came 
with a boat’s crew, and selected the elite of our company; the Lieu¬ 
tenant (Brenton, if we remember rightly) thinking he had the best 
right to those able seamen whose skill and fearless actions he had often 
witnessed. This scene was distressing; for we saw many worthy men 
-quarter-masters and others—torn from the outstretched arms of their 
wives and friends on shore. 
In the meantime an agent from Sir Joseph Banks, with an order of 
the Privy Council, came on board for the plants consigned to the care 
of that gentleman. They ■were instantly delivered, by leave of the 
Custom-house officer who had charge of the ship, and were, we believe, 
directly conveyed to Kew. 
During this bustling scene we, by order, paraded the quarter-deck 
among the officers, having in charge Captain Burnyeat’s chronometer 
as a protection, (for by the rules of the Hon. East India Company’s 
service, we were rated as ordinary seamen on the ship’s books,) which 
averted the prying eye of his Majesty’s Lieutenant; and soon after we 
went on shore with the captain, and came post to London, bidding 
farewell to the ship and companions of our voyage for ever. 
It is a fortunate pliability of the human mind that it can accommo¬ 
date itself to whatever circumstances it chances to be placed in. On 
taking leave of our good friend, the Captain, at the door of Messrs. 
Borrodaile, in Fenchurch Street, we, without any well-defined object 
or distinct pursuit in view, took our way towards Mile End, to call on 
our old acquaintance and patron, Mr. A. Thomson. Here we met a 
hearty welcome, and were engaged the same night to take the charge 
of the plant-houses in that then celebrated establishment. 
From Mr. Thomson we learned that, immediately after the death of 
Mr. Slater, the seat of Low Layton was given up, and had passed into 
other hands ; Mrs. Slater and family having retired into the north of 
England, and all the old servants dispersed in all directions. We never 
visited the place afterwards. 
We took an early opportunity of waiting upon the principal executor 
of bur late employer, to inquire whether there was anything in our 
