WhatdeterminedthechoiceofthiscollegeforhisbrotherErasmusandhimselfIhavenomeansofknowing。Erasmustheelder，theirgrandfather，hadbeenatSt。John’s，andthiscollegemighthavebeenreasonablyselectedforthem，beingconnectedwithShrewsburySchool。Butthelifeofanunder—graduateatSt。John’sseems，inthosedays，tohavebeenatroubledone，ifImayjudgefromthefactthatarelativeofminemigratedthencetoChrist’stoescapetheharassingdisciplineoftheplace。A
　　storytoldbyMr。Herbertillustratesthesamestateofthings:——
　　"InthebeginningoftheOctoberTermof1830，anincidentoccurredwhichwasattendedwithsomewhatdisagreeable，thoughludicrousconsequencestomyself。DarwinaskedmetotakealongwalkwithhimintheFens，tosearchforsomenaturalobjectshewasdesirousofhaving。Afteraverylong，fatiguingday’swork，wedinedtogether，lateintheevening，athisroomsinChrist’sCollege;andassoonasourdinnerwasoverwethrewourselvesintoeasychairsandfellsoundasleep。Iwasfirsttoawake，aboutthreeinthemorning，when，havinglookedatmywatch，andknowingthestrictruleofSt。John’s，whichrequiredmeninstatupupillaritocomeintocollegebeforemidnight，Irushedhomewardattheutmostspeed，infearoftheconsequences，buthopingthattheDeanwouldaccepttheexcuseassufficientwhenItoldhimtherealfacts。He，however，wasinexorable，andrefusedtoreceivemyexplanations，oranyevidenceIcouldbring;andalthoughduringmyundergraduateshipIhadneverbeenreportedforcominglateintoCollege，now，whenIwasahard—workingB。A。，andhadfiveorsixpupils，hesentencedmetoconfinementtotheCollegewallsfortherestoftheterm。Darwin’sindignationknewnobounds，andthestupidinjusticeandtyrannyoftheDeanraisednotonlyaperfectfermentamongmyfriends，butwasthesubjectofexpostulationfromsomeoftheleadingmembersoftheUniversity。"
　　MyfatherseemstohavefoundnodifficultyinlivingatpeacewithallmeninandoutofofficeatLadyMargaret’sotherfoundation。Theimpressionofacontemporaryofmyfather’sisthatChrist’sintheirdaywasapleasant，fairlyquietcollege，withsometendencytowards"horsiness";
　　manyofthemenmadeacustomofgoingtoNewmarketduringtheraces，thoughbettingwasnotaregularpractice。InthistheywerebynomeansdiscouragedbytheSeniorTutor，Mr。Shaw，whowashimselfgenerallytobeseenontheHeathontheseoccasions。TherewasasomewhathighproportionofFellow—Commoners，——eightornine，tosixtyorseventyPensioners，andthiswouldindicatethatitwasnotanunpleasantcollegeformenwithmoneytospendandwithnogreatloveofstrictdiscipline。
　　ThewayinwhichtheservicewasconductedinchapelshowsthattheDean，atleast，wasnotoverzealous。IhaveheardmyfathertellhowateveningchapeltheDeanusedtoreadalternateversesofthePsalms，withoutmakingevenapretenceofwaitingforthecongregationtotaketheirshare。AndwhentheLessonwasalengthyone，hewouldriseandgoonwiththeCanticlesafterthescholarhadreadfifteenortwentyverses。
　　ItiscuriousthatmyfatheroftenspokeofhisCambridgelifeasifithadbeensomuchtimewasted，forgettingthat，althoughthesetstudiesoftheplacewerebarrenenoughforhim，heyetgainedinthehighestdegreethebestadvantagesofaUniversitylife——thecontactwithmenandanopportunityforhismindtogrowvigorously。ItistruethathevaluedatitshighesttheadvantageswhichhegainedfromassociatingwithProfessorHenslowandsomeothers，butheseemedtoconsiderthisasachanceoutcomeofhislifeatCambridge，notanadvantageforwhichAlmaMatercouldclaimanycredit。Oneofmyfather’sCambridgefriendswasthelateMr。J。M。
　　Herbert，CountyCourtJudgeforSouthWales，fromwhomIwasfortunateenoughtoobtainsomenoteswhichhelpustogainanideaofhowmyfatherimpressedhiscontemporaries。Mr。Herbertwrites:"Ithinkitwasinthespringof1828thatIfirstmetDarwin，eitheratmycousinWhitley’sroomsinSt。John’s，orattheroomsofsomeotherofhisoldShrewsburyschoolfellows，withmanyofwhomIwasontermsofgreatintimacy。Butitcertainlywasinthesummerofthatyearthatouracquaintanceripenedintointimacy，whenwehappenedtobetogetheratBarmouth，fortheLongVacation，readingwithprivatetutors，——hewithBattertonofSt。John’s，hisClassicalandMathematicalTutor，andIwithYateofSt。John’s。"
　　Theintercoursebetweenthempracticallyceasedin1831，whenmyfathersaidgoodbyetoHerbertatCambridge，onstartingonhis"Beagle"voyage。
　　IoncemetMr。Herbert，thenalmostanoldman，andIwasmuchstruckbytheevidentwarmthandfreshnessoftheaffectionwithwhichherememberedmyfather。ThenotesfromwhichIquoteendwiththiswarm—heartedeulogium:"Itwouldbeidleformetospeakofhisvastintellectualpowers……butIcannotendthiscursoryandramblingsketchwithouttestifying，andIdoubtnotallhissurvivingcollegefriendswouldconcurwithme，thathewasthemostgenial，warm—hearted，generous，andaffectionateoffriends;thathissympathieswerewithallthatwasgoodandtrue;andthathehadacordialhatredforeverythingfalse，orvile，orcruel，ormean，ordishonourable。Hewasnotonlygreat，butpre—
　　eminentlygood，andjust，andloveable。"
　　TwoanecdotestoldbyMr。Herbertshowthatmyfather’sfeelingforsuffering，whetherofmanorbeast，wasasstronginhimasayoungmanasitwasinlateryears:"BeforeheleftCambridgehetoldmethathehadmadeuphismindnottoshootanymore;thathehadhadtwodays’shootingathisfriend’s，Mr。OwenofWoodhouse;andthatonthesecondday，whengoingoversomeofthegroundtheyhadbeatenonthedaybefore，hepickedupabirdnotquitedead，butlingeringfromashotithadreceivedonthepreviousday;andthatithadmadeandleftsuchapainfulimpressiononhismind，thathecouldnotreconcileittohisconsciencetocontinuetoderivepleasurefromasportwhichinflictedsuchcruelsuffering。"
　　Torealisethestrengthofthefeelingthatledtothisresolve，wemustrememberhowpassionatewashisloveofsport。Wemustrecalltheboyshootinghisfirstsnipe（’Recollections。’），andtremblingwithexcitementsothathecouldhardlyreloadhisgun。Orthinkofsuchasentenceas，"Uponmysoul，itisonlyaboutafortnighttothe’First，’thenifthereisablissonearththatisit。"（LetterfromC。DarwintoW。D。Fox。）
　　AnotheranecdotetoldbyMr。Herbertillustratesagainhistendernessofheart:——
　　"WhenatBarmouthheandIwenttoanexhibitionof’learneddogs。’Inthemiddleoftheentertainmentoneofthedogsfailedinperformingthetrickhismastertoldhimtodo。Onthemanreprovinghim，thedogputonamostpiteousexpression，asifinfearofthewhip。Darwinseeingit，askedmetoleavewithhim，saying，’Comealong，Ican’tstandthisanylonger;howthosepoordogsmusthavebeenlicked。’"
　　Itiscuriousthatthesamefeelingrecurredtomyfathermorethanfiftyyearsafterwards，onseeingsomeperformingdogsattheWestminsterAquarium;onthisoccasionhewasreassuredbythemanagertellinghimthatthedogsweretaughtmorebyrewardthanbypunishment。Mr。Herbertgoeson:——"Itstirredone’sinmostdepthoffeelingtohearhimdescantupon，andgroanover，thehorrorsoftheslave—trade，orthecrueltiestowhichthesufferingPolesweresubjectedatWarsaw……These，andotherlikeproofshaveleftonmymindtheconvictionthatamorehumaneortender—heartedmanneverlived。"
　　Hisoldcollegefriendsagreeinspeakingwithaffectionatewarmthofhispleasant，genialtemperasayoungman。Fromwhattheyhavebeenabletotellme，Igaintheimpressionofayoungmanoverflowingwithanimalspirits——leadingavariedhealthylife——notover—industriousinthesetofstudiesoftheplace，butfullofotherpursuits，whichwerefollowedwitharejoicingenthusiasm。Entomology，riding，shootinginthefens，suppersandcard—playing，musicatKing’sChapel，engravingsattheFitzwilliamMuseum，walkswithProfessorHenslow——allcombinedtofillupahappylife。
　　Heseemstohaveinfectedotherswithhisenthusiasm。Mr。Herbertrelateshow，duringthesameBarmouthsummer，hewaspressedintotheserviceof"thescience"——asmyfathercalledcollectingbeetles。TheytooktheirdailywalkstogetheramongthehillsbehindBarmouth，orboatedintheMawddachestuary，orsailedtoSarnBadrigtolandthereatlowwater，orwentfly—fishingintheCors—y—gedollakes。"OntheseoccasionsDarwinentomologizedmostindustriously，pickingupcreaturesashewalkedalong，andbaggingeverythingwhichseemedworthyofbeingpursued，oroffurtherexamination。Andverysoonhearmedmewithabottleofalcohol，inwhichIhadtodropanybeetlewhichstruckmeasnotofacommonkind。I
　　performedthisdutywithsomediligenceinmyconstitutionalwalks;butalas！mypowersofdiscriminationseldomenabledmetosecureaprize——theusualresult，onhisexaminingthecontentsofmybottle，beinganexclamation，’Well，oldCherbury’（NodoubtinallusiontothetitleofLordHerbertofCherbury。）（thenicknamehegaveme，andbywhichheusuallyaddressedme），’noneofthesewilldo。’"Again，theRev。T。
　　Butler，whowasoneoftheBarmouthreading—partyin1828，says:"HeinoculatedmewithatasteforBotanywhichhasstuckbymeallmylife。"
　　ArchdeaconWatkins，anotheroldcollegefriendofmyfather’s，remembershimunearthingbeetlesinthewillowsbetweenCambridgeandGrantchester，andspeaksofacertainbeetletheremembranceofwhosenameis"Cruxmajor。"（Panagaeuscrux—major。）Howenthusiasticallymustmyfatherhaveexultedoverthisbeetletohaveimpresseditsnameonacompanionsothatheremembersitafterhalfacentury！ArchdeaconWatkinsgoeson:"IdonotforgetthelongandveryinterestingconversationsthatwehadaboutBraziliansceneryandtropicalvegetationofallsorts。NordoIforgetthewayandthevehemencewithwhichherubbedhischinwhenhegotexcitedonsuchsubjects，anddiscoursedeloquentlyoflianas，orchids，etc。"
　　HebecameintimatewithHenslow，theProfessorofBotany，andthroughhimwithsomeotheroldermembersoftheUniversity。"But，"Mr。Herbertwrites，"healwayskeptuptheclosestconnectionwiththefriendsofhisownstanding;andatourfrequentsocialgatherings——atbreakfast，wineorsupperparties——hewaseveroneofthemostcheerful，themostpopular，andthemostwelcome。"
　　Myfatherformedoneofaclubfordiningonceaweek，calledtheGourmet（Mr。Herbertmentionsthenameas’TheGluttonClub。’）Club，themembers，besideshimselfandMr。Herbert（fromwhomIquote），beingWhitleyofSt。
　　John’s，nowHonoraryCanonofDurham（FormerlyReaderinNaturalPhilosophyatDurhamUniversity。）;HeavisideofSidney，nowCanonofNorwich;LovettCameronofTrinity，nowvicarofShoreham;BlaneofTrinity，whoheldahighpostduringtheCrimeanwar;H。Lowe（BrotherofLordSherbrooke。）
　　（NowSherbrooke）ofTrinityHall;andWatkinsofEmmanuel，nowArchdeaconofYork。Theoriginoftheclub’snameseemsalreadytohavebecomeinvolvedinobscurity。Mr。Herbertsaysthatitwaschoseninderisionofanother"setofmenwhocalledthemselvesbyalongGreeknamesignifying’fondofdainties，’butwhofalsifiedtheirclaimtosuchadesignationbytheirweeklypracticeofdiningatsomeroadsideinn，sixmilesfromCambridge，onmuttonchopsorbeansandbacon。"Anotheroldmemberoftheclubtellsmethatthenamearosebecausethemembersweregiventomakingexperimentson"birdsandbeastswhichwerebeforeunknowntohumanpalate。"Hesaysthathawkandbitternweretried，andthattheirzealbrokedownoveranoldbrownowl，"whichwasindescribable。"Atanyrate，themeetingsseemedtohavebeensuccessful，andtohaveendedwith"agameofmildvingt—et—un。"
　　Mr。Herbertgivesanamusingaccountofthemusicalexaminationsdescribedbymyfatherinhis’Recollections。"Mr。Herbertspeaksstronglyofhisloveofmusic，andadds，"WhatgavehimthegreatestdelightwassomegrandsymphonyorovertureofMozart’sorBeethoven’s，withtheirfullharmonies。’OnoneoccasionHerbertremembers"accompanyinghimtotheafternoonserviceatKing’s，whenweheardaverybeautifulanthem。Attheendofoneoftheparts，whichwasexceedinglyimpressive，heturnedroundtomeandsaid，withadeepsigh，’How’syourbackbone？’"Heoftenspokeofafeelingofcoldnessorshiveringinhisbackonhearingbeautifulmusic。
　　Besidesaloveofmusic，hehadcertainlyatthistimealoveoffineliterature;andMr。CamerontellsmethatheusedtoreadShakespearetomyfatherinhisroomsatChrist’s，whotookmuchpleasureinit。Healsospeaksofhis"greatlikingforfirst—classlineengravings，especiallythoseofRaphaelMorghenandMuller;andhespenthoursintheFitzwilliamMuseuminlookingovertheprintsinthatcollection。"
　　Myfather’sletterstoFoxshowhowsorelyoppressedhefeltbythereadingofanexamination:"Iamreadingveryhard，andhavespiritsfornothing。
　　Iactuallyhavenotstuckabeetlethisterm。"Hisdespairovermathematicsmusthavebeenprofound，whenheexpressedahopethatFox’ssilenceisdueto"yourbeingtenfathomsdeepintheMathematics;andifyouare，Godhelpyou，forsoamI，onlywiththisdifference，Istickfastinthemudatthebottom，andthereIshallremain。"Mr。Herbertsays:
　　"Hehad，Iimagine，nonaturalturnformathematics，andhegaveuphismathematicalreadingbeforehehadmasteredthefirstpartofAlgebra，havinghadaspecialquarrelwithSurdsandtheBinomialTheorem。"
　　WegetsomeevidencefromhisletterstoFoxofmyfather’sintentionofgoingintotheChurch。"Iamglad，"hewrites（March18，1829。），"tohearthatyouarereadingdivinity。Ishouldliketoknowwhatbooksyouarereading，andyouropinionsaboutthem;youneednotbeafraidofpreachingtomeprematurely。"Mr。Herbert’ssketchshowshowdoubtsaroseinmyfather’smindastothepossibilityofhistakingOrders。Hewrites，"WehadanearnestconversationaboutgoingintoHolyOrders;andIrememberhisaskingme，withreferencetothequestionputbytheBishopintheordinationservice，’DoyoutrustthatyouareinwardlymovedbytheHolySpirit，etc。，’whetherIcouldanswerintheaffirmative，andonmysayingIcouldnot，hesaid，’NeithercanI，andthereforeIcannottakeorders。’"
　　Thisconversationappearstohavetakenplacein1829，andifso，thedoubtshereexpressedmusthavebeenquieted，forinMay1830，hespeaksofhavingsomethoughtsofreadingdivinitywithHenslow。
　　Thegreaternumberofthefollowinglettersareaddressedbymyfathertohiscousin，WilliamDarwinFox。Mr。Fox’srelationshiptomyfatherisshowninthepedigreegiveninChapterI。Thedegreeofkinshipappearstohaveremainedaproblemtomyfather，ashesignshimselfinoneletter"cousin/ntothepower2。"Theirfriendshipwas，infact，duetotheirbeingundergraduatestogether。Myfather’slettersshowclearlyenoughhowgenuinethefriendshipwas。Inafteryears，distance，largefamilies，andill—healthonbothsides，checkedtheintercourse;butawarmfeelingoffriendshipremained。ThecorrespondencewasneverquitedroppedandcontinuedtillMr。Fox’sdeathin1880。Mr。Foxtookorders，andworkedasacountryclergymanuntilforcedbyill—healthtoleavehislivinginDelamareForest。Hisloveofnaturalhistoryremainedstrong，andhebecameaskilledfancierofmanykindsofbirds，etc。Theindexto’AnimalsandPlants，’andmyfather’slatercorrespondence，showhowmuchhelphereceivedfromhisoldCollegefriend。]
　　CHARLESDARWINTOJ。M。HERBERT。
　　SaturdayEvening[September14，1828]。（ThepostmarkbeingDerbyseemstoshowthattheletterwaswrittenfromhiscousin，W。D。Fox’shouse，Osmaston，nearDerby。）
　　MydearoldCherbury，Iamabouttofulfilmypromiseofwritingtoyou，butIamsorrytoaddthereisaveryselfishmotiveatthebottom。Iamgoingtoaskyouagreatfavour，andyoucannotimaginehowmuchyouwillobligemebyprocuringsomemorespecimensofsomeinsectswhichIdaresayIcandescribe。Inthefirstplace，ImustinformyouthatIhavetakensomeoftherarestoftheBritishInsects，andtheirbeingfoundnearBarmouth，isquiteunknowntotheEntomologicalworld:IthinkIshallwriteandinformsomeofthecrackentomologists。
　　Butnowforbusiness。SEVERALmorespecimens，ifyoucanprocurethemwithoutmuchtrouble，ofthefollowinginsects:——Theviolet—blackcolouredbeetle，foundonCraigStorm（ThetopofthehillimmediatelybehindBarmouthwascalledCraig—Storm，ahybridCambro—Englishword。），understones，alsoalargesmoothblackoneverylikeit;abluishmetallic—
　　coloureddung—beetle，whichisVERYcommononthehill—sides;also，ifyouWOULDbesoverykindastocrosstheferry，andyouwillfindagreatnumberunderthestonesonthewastelandofalong，smooth，jet—blackbeetle（agreatmanyofthese）;also，inthesamesituation，averysmallpinkishinsect，withblackspots，withacurvedthoraxprojectingbeyondthehead;also，uponthemarshylandovertheferry，nearthesea，underoldsea—weed，stones，etc。，youwillfindasmallyellowishtransparentbeetle，withtwoorfourblackishmarksontheback。Underthesestonestherearetwosorts，onemuchdarkerthantheother;thelighter—colouredisthatwhichIwant。TheselasttwoinsectsareEXCESSIVELYRARE，andyouwillreallyEXTREMELYobligemebytakingallthistroubleprettysoon。
　　remembermemostkindlytoButler，tellhimofmysuccess，andIdaresaybothofyouwilleasilyrecognisetheseinsects。Ihopehiscaterpillarsgoonwell。IthinkmanyoftheChrysalisesarewellworthkeeping。I
　　reallyamquiteashamed[of]solongaletterallaboutmyownconcerns;
　　butdoreturngoodforevil，andsendmealongaccountofallyourproceedings。
　　InthefirstweekIkilledseventy—fiveheadofgame——averycontemptiblenumber——butthereareveryfewbirds。Ikilled，however，abraceofblackgame。SincethenIhavebeenstayingattheFox’s，nearDerby;itisaverypleasanthouse，andthemusicmeetingwentoffverywell。IwanttohearhowYateslikeshisgun，andwhatusehehasmadeofit。
　　Ifthebottleisnotlargeyoucanbuyanotherforme，andwhenyoupassthroughShrewsburyyoucanleavethesetreasures，andIhope，ifyoupossiblycan，youwillstayadayortwowithme，asIhopeIneednotsayhowgladIshallbetoseeyouagain。Foxremarkedwhatdeucedgood—
　　naturedfellowsyourfriendsatBarmouthmustbe;andifIdidnotknowhowyouandButlerwereso，Iwouldnotthinkofgivingyousomuchtrouble。
　　Believeme，mydearHerbert，Yours，mostsincerely，CHARLESDARWIN。
　　Remembermetoallfriends。
　　[InthefollowingJanuarywefindhimlookingforwardwithpleasuretothebeginningofanotheryearofhisCambridgelife:hewritestoFox——
　　"Iwaitedtillto—dayforthechanceofaletter，butIwillwaitnolonger。Imustmostsincerelyandcordiallycongratulateyouonhavingfinishedallyourlabours。IthinkyourplaceaVERYGOODoneconsideringbyhowmuchyouhavebeatenmanymenwhohadthestartofyouinreading。
　　IdosowishIwerenowinCambridge（averyselfishwish，however，asI
　　wasnotwithyouinallyourtroublesandmisery），tojoininallthegloryandhappiness，whichdangersgonebycangive。Howwewouldtalk，walk，andentomologise！Sapphoshouldbethebestofbitches，andDash，ofdogs:
　　thenshouldbe’peaceonearth，goodwilltomen，’——which，bytheway，I
　　alwaysthinkthemostperfectdescriptionofhappinessthatwordscangive。"]
　　CHARLESDARWINTOW。D。FOX。
　　Cambridge，Thursday[February26，1829]。
　　MydearFox，WhenIarrivedhereonTuesdayIfoundtomygreatgriefandsurprise，aletteronmytablewhichIhadwrittentoyouaboutafortnightago，thestupidporternevertookthetroubleofgettingtheletterforwarded。I
　　supposeyouhavebeenabusingmeforamostungratefulwretch;butIamsureyouwillpitymenow，asnothingissovexatiousashavingwrittenaletterinvain。
　　LastThursdayIleftShrewsburyforLondon，andstayedtheretillTuesday，onwhichIcamedownherebythe’Times。’ThefirsttwodaysIspententirelywithMr。Hope（FounderoftheChairofZoologyatOxford。），anddidlittleelsebuttalkaboutandlookatinsects;hiscollectionismostmagnificent，andhehimselfisthemostgenerousofentomologists;hehasgivenmeabout160newspecies，andactuallyoftenwantedtogivemetherarestinsectsofwhichhehadonlytwospecimens。Hemademanycivilspeeches，andhopedyouwillcallonhimsometimewithme，wheneverweshouldhappentobeinLondon。HegreatlycomplimentsourexertionsinEntomology，andsayswehavetakenawonderfullygreatnumberofgoodinsects。OnSundayIspentthedaywithHolland，wholentmeahorsetorideintheParkwith。
　　OnMondayeveningIdrankteawithStephens（J。F。Stephens，authorof’A
　　ManualofBritishColeoptera，’1839，andotherworks。）;hiscabinetismoremagnificentthanthemostzealousentomologistcoulddreamof;heappearstobeaverygood—humouredpleasantlittleman。WhilstintownIwenttotheRoyalInstitution，LinneanSociety，andZoologicalGardens，andmanyotherplaceswherenaturalistsaregregarious。Ifyouhadbeenwithme，I
　　thinkLondonwouldbeaverydelightfulplace;asthingswere，itwasmuchpleasanterthanIcouldhavesupposedsuchadrearywildernessofhousestobe。
　　IshotwhilstinShrewsburyaDundiver（femaleGoosander，asIsupposeyouknow）。Shawhasstuffedit，andwhenIhaveanopportunityIwillsendittoOsmaston。TherehavebeenshotalsofiveWaxenChatterers，threeofwhichShawhasforsale;wouldyouliketopurchaseaspecimen？Ihavenotyetthankedyouforyourlastverylongandagreeableletter。Itwouldhavebeenstillmoreagreeablehaditcontainedthejoyfulintelligencethatyouwerecominguphere;mytwosolitarybreakfastshavealreadymademeawarehowveryverymuchIshallmissyou……
　　Believeme，MydearoldFox，Mostsincerelyyours，C。DARWIN。
　　[LateronintheLenttermhewritestoFox:——
　　"Iamleadingaquieteverydaysortofalife;alittleofGibbon’sHistoryinthemorning，andagooddealof"VanJohn"intheevening;this，withanoccasionalridewithSimcoxandconstitutionalwithWhitley，makesuptheregularroutineofmydays。IseeagooddealbothofHerbertandWhitley，andthemoreIseeofthemincreaseseverydaytherespectIhavefortheirexcellentunderstandingsanddispositions。Theyhavebeengivingsomeverygayparties，nearlysixtymentherebothevenings。"]
　　CHARLESDARWINTOW。D。FOX。
　　Christ’sCollege[Cambridge]，April1[1829]。
　　MydearFox，InyourlettertoHoldenyouarepleasedtoobserve"thatofalltheblackguardsyouevermetwithIamthegreatest。"UponthisobservationI
　　shallmakenoremarks，exceptingthatImustgiveyouallduecreditforactingonitmostrigidly。AndnowIshouldliketoknowinwhatoneparticularareyoulessofablackguardthanIam？Youidleoldwretch，whyhaveyounotansweredmylastletter，whichIamsureIforwardedtoCliftonnearlythreeweeksago？IfIwasnotreallyveryanxioustohearwhatyouaredoing，Ishouldhaveallowedyoutoremaintillyouthoughtitworthwhiletotreatmelikeagentleman。Andnowhavingventedmyspleeninscoldingyou，andhavingtoldyou，whatyoumustknow，howverymuchandhowanxiouslyIwanttohearhowyouandyourfamilyaregettingonatClifton，thepurportofthisletterisfinished。IfyoudidbutknowhowoftenIthinkofyou，andhowoftenIregretyourabsence，IamsureI
　　shouldhaveheardfromyoulongenoughago。
　　IfindCambridgeratherstupid，andasIknowscarcelyanyonethatwalks，andthisjoinedwithmylipsnotbeingquitesowell，hasreducedmetoasortofhybernation……IhavecaughtMr。Harbourletting——havethefirstpickofthebeetles;accordinglywehavemadeourfinaladieus，mypartintheaffectingsceneconsistedintellinghimhewasad——drascal，andsignifyingIshouldkickhimdownthestairsifeverheappearedinmyroomsagain。Itseemedaltogethermightilytosurprisetheyounggentleman。Ihavenonewstotellyou;indeed，whenacorrespondencehasbeenbrokenofflikeourshasbeen，itisdifficulttomakethefirststartagain。LastnighttherewasaterriblefireatLinton，elevenmilesfromCambridge。Seeingthereflectionsoplainlyinthesky，Hall，Woodyeare，Turner，andmyselfthoughtwewouldrideandseeit。Wesetoutathalf—
　　pastnine，androdelikeincarnatedevilsthere，anddidnotreturntilltwointhemorning。Altogetheritwasamostawfulsight。Icannotconcludewithouttellingyou，thatofalltheblackguardsIevermetwith，youarethegreatestandthebest。
　　C。DARWIN。
　　CHARLESDARWINTOW。D。FOX。
　　[Cambridge，Thursday，April23，1829。]
　　MydearFox，Ihavedelayedansweringyourlastletterforthesefewdays，asIthoughtthatundersuchmelancholycircumstancesmywritingtoyouwouldbeprobablyonlygivingyoutrouble。ThismorningIreceivedaletterfromCatherineinformingmeofthatevent（ThedeathofFox’ssister，Mrs。
　　Bristowe。），which，indeed，fromyourletter，Ihadhardlydaredtohopewouldhavehappenedotherwise。Ifeelmostsincerelyanddeeplyforyouandallyourfamily;butatthesametime，asfarasanyonecan，byhisowngoodprinciplesandreligion，besupportedundersuchamisfortune，you，Iamassured，willknowwheretolookforsuchsupport。AndaftersopureandholyacomfortastheBibleaffords，Iamequallyassuredhowuselessthesympathyofallfriendsmustappear，althoughitbeasheartfeltandsincere，asIhopeyoubelievemecapableoffeeling。AtsuchatimeofdeepdistressIwillsaynothingmore，exceptingthatI
　　trustyourfatherandMrs。Foxbearthisblowaswellas，undersuchcircumstances，canbehopedfor。
　　Iamafraiditwillbealongtime，mydearFox，beforewemeet;tillthen，believemeatalltimes，Yoursmostaffectionately，CHARLESDARWIN。
　　CHARLESDARWINTOW。D。FOX。
　　Shrewsbury，Friday[July4，1829]。
　　MydearFox，IshouldhavewrittentoyoubeforeonlythatwhilstourexpeditionlastedIwastoomuchengaged，andtheconclusionwassounfortunate，thatIwastoounhappytowritetoyoutillthisweek’squietathome。ThethoughtsofWoodhousenextweekhasatlastgivenmecouragetorelatemyunfortunatecase。
　　IstartedfromthisplaceaboutafortnightagototakeanentomologicaltripwithMr。HopethroughallNorthWales;andBarmouthwasourfirstdestination。ThetwofirstdaysIwentonprettywell，takingseveralgoodinsects;butfortherestofthatweekmylipsbecamesuddenlysobad（Probablywitheczema，fromwhichheoftensuffered。），andImyselfnotverywell，thatIwasunabletoleavetheroom，andontheMondayI
　　retreatedwithgriefandsorrowbackagaintoShrewsbury。ThefirsttwodaysItooksomegoodinsects……ButthedaysthatIwasunabletogoout，Mr。Hopedidwonders……andto—dayIhavereceivedanotherparcelofinsectsfromhim，suchColymbetes，suchCarabi，andsuchmagnificentElaters（twospeciesofthebrightscarletsort）。Iamsureyouwillproperlysympathisewithmyunfortunatesituation:IamdeterminedIwillgooverthesamegroundthathedoesbeforeautumncomes，andifworkinghardwillprocureinsectsIwillbringhomeagloriousstock……
　　MydearFox，Yoursmostsincerely，CHAS。DARWIN。
　　CHARLESDARWINTOW。D。FOX。
　　Shrewsbury，July18，1829。
　　IamgoingtoMaernextweekinordertoentomologise，andshallstaythereaweek，andfortherestofthissummerIintendtoleadaperfectlyidleandwanderinglife……YouseeIammuchinthesamestatethatyouare，withthisdifference，youmakegoodresolutionsandneverkeepthem;Inevermakethem，socannotkeepthem;itisallverywellwritinginthismanner，butImustreadformyLittle—go。Grahamsmiledandbowedsoverycivilly，whenhetoldmethathewasoneofthesixappointedtomaketheexaminationstricter，andthattheyweredeterminedthiswouldmakeitaverydifferentthingfromanypreviousexamination，thatfromallthisIamsureitwillbetheverydeviltopayamongstallidlemenandentomologists。Erasmus，weexpecthomeinafewweeks’time:heintendspassingnextwinterinParis。BesureyouorderthetwolistsofinsectspublishedbyStephens，oneprintedonbothsides，andtheotheronlyonone;youwillfindthemveryusefulinmanypointsofview。
　　DearoldFox，yours，C。DARWIN。
　　CHARLESDARWINTOW。D。FOX。
　　Christ’sCollege，Thursday[October16，1829]。
　　MydearFox，IamafraidyouwillbeveryangrywithmefornothavingwrittenduringtheMusicMeeting，butreallyIwasworkedsohardthatIhadnotime;I
　　arrivedhereonMondayandfoundmyroomsindreadfulconfusion，astheyhavebeentakingupthefloor，andyoumaysupposethatIhavehadplentytodoforthesetwodays。TheMusicMeeting（AtBirmingham。）wasthemostgloriousthingIeverexperienced;andasforMalibran，wordscannotpraiseherenough，sheisquitethemostcharmingpersonIeversaw。Wehadextractsoutofseveralofthebestoperas，actedincharacter，andyoucannotimaginehowverysuperioritmadetheconcertstoanyIeverheardbefore。J。deBegnis（DeBegnis’sChristiannamewasGiuseppe。）acted’IlFanatico’incharacter;beingdressedupanextraordinaryfiguregivesamuchgreatereffecttohisacting。Hekeptthewholetheatreinroarsoflaughter。IlikedMadameBlasisverymuch，butnothingwilldoafterMalibran，whosungsomecomicsongs，and[a]person’sheartmusthavebeenmadeofstonenottohavelostittoher。IlodgedveryneartheWedgwoods，andlivedentirelywiththem，whichwasverypleasant，andhadyoubeenthereitwouldhavebeenquiteperfect。Itknockedmeupmostdreadfully，andIwillneverattemptagaintodotwothingsthesameday……
　　CHARLESDARWINTOW。D。FOX。
　　[Cambridge]Thursday[March，1830]。
　　MydearFox，IamthroughmyLittle—Go！！！Iamtoomuchexaltedtohumblemyselfbyapologisingfornothavingwrittenbefore。ButIassureyoubeforeIwentin，andwhenmynerveswereinashatteredandweakcondition，yourinjuredpersonoftenrosebeforemyeyesandtauntedmewithmyidleness。ButIamthrough，through，through。Icouldwritethewholesheetfullwiththisdelightfulword。Iwentinyesterday，andhavejustheardthejoyfulnews。
　　IshallnotknowforaweekwhichclassIamin。Thewholeexaminationiscarriedoninadifferentsystem。Ithasonegrandadvantage——beingoverinoneday。Theyareratherstrict，andaskawonderfulnumberofquestions。
　　AndnowIwanttoknowsomethingaboutyourplans;ofcourseyouintendcominguphere:whatfunwewillhavetogether;whatbeetleswewillcatch;itwilldomyheartgoodtogooncemoretogethertosomeofouroldhaunts。IhavetwoverypromisingpupilsinEntomology，andwewillmakeregularcampaignsintotheFens。HeavenprotectthebeetlesandMr。
　　Jenyns，forwewon’tleavehimapairinthewholecountry。MynewCabinetiscomedown，andagaylittleaffairitis。
　　Andnowforthetime——IthinkIshallgoforafewdaystotowntohearanoperaandseeMr。Hope;nottomentionmybrotheralso，whomIshouldhavenoobjectiontosee。IfIgoprettysoon，youcancomeafterwards，butifyouwillsettleyourplansdefinitely，Iwillarrangemine，sosendmealetterbyreturnofpost。AndIchargeyouletitbefavourable——thatistosay，comedirectly。Holdenhasbeenordained，anddrovetheCoachoutontheMonday。Idonotthinkheislookingverywell。Chapmanwantsyouandmyselftopayhimavisitwhenyoucomeup，andbegstoberememberedtoyou。Youmustexcusethisshortletter，asIhavenoendmoretosendoffbythisday’spost。Ilongtoseeyouagain，andtillthen，MydeargoodoldFox，Yoursmostsincerely，CHARLESDARWIN。
　　[InAugusthewasinNorthWalesandwrotetoFox:——
　　"Ihavebeenintendingtowriteeveryhourforthelastfortnight，butREALLYhavehadnotime。IleftShrewsburythisdayfortnightago，andhavesincethattimebeenworkingfrommorningtonightincatchingfishorbeetles。ThisisliterallythefirstidledayIhavehadtomyself;forontherainydaysIgofishing，onthegoodonesentomologising。Youmayrecollectthatforthefortnightprevioustoallthis，youtoldmenottowrite，sothatIhopeIhavemadeoutsomesortofdefencefornothavingsooneransweredyourtwolongandveryagreeableletters。"]