I bore in mind that there were some two hundred and fifty post-captains in the English navy clamouring for employment, and that there were at the moment I speak of only about forty employed.

I remembered that for twenty-four years an English officer of the same rank as myself had held the post now offered to me, namely, that of Naval Adviser to the Turkish Government, that the post was just vacant through the retirement of Sir Adolphus Slade (who had served honourably for twenty years, and had retired from old age).

I calculated in those days of profound peace there was more probability of active service in the Eastern world than elsewhere.

So I answered: 'Well, your Highness, I am ready if the terms offered me are satisfactory.' I may say they proved most satisfactory; so, to make a long story short, I accepted and was booked as a Turkish employe for five years, always retaining my rank and position as an English naval officer, and my nationality as a British subject.
I found afterwards, as regards my position as an English naval officer, I had somewhat reckoned without my host.

It seems that this post was considered by the English Admiralty as one of their choice gifts, and many were the applicants for it on Sir A.Slade's retirement, so much so that their lordships made great capital of this appointment, and were furious at my action in the matter.