CHARLESDARWINTOW。D。FOX。
[Cambridge，November5，1830。]
MydearFox，Ihavesolittletimeatpresent，andamsodisgustedbyreadingthatI
havenotthehearttowritetoanybody。IhaveonlywrittenoncehomesinceIcameup。Thismustexcusemefornothavingansweredyourthreeletters，forwhichIamreallyverymuchobliged……
Ihavenotstuckaninsectthisterm，andscarcelyopenedacase。IfIhadtimeIwouldhavesentyoutheinsectswhichIhavesolongpromised;butreallyIhavenotspiritsortimetodoanything。Readingmakesmequitedesperate;theplagueofgettingupallmysubjectsisnextthingtointolerable。Henslowismytutor，andamostADMIRABLEonehemakes;thehourwithhimisthepleasantestinthewholeday。IthinkheisquitethemostperfectmanIevermetwith。Ihavebeentosomeverypleasantpartiestherethisterm。Hisgood—natureisunbounded。
IamsureyouwillbesorrytohearpooroldWhitley’sfatherisdead。Inaworldlypointofviewitisofgreatconsequencetohim，asitwillpreventhimgoingtotheBarforsometime。——（Besureanswerthis:）WhatdidyoupayfortheironhoopyouhadmadeinShrewsbury？BecauseIdonotmeantopaythewholeoftheCambridgeman’sbill。YouneednottroubleyourselfaboutthePhallus，asIhaveboughtupbothspecies。IhaveheardmensaythatHenslowhassomecuriousreligiousopinions。Ineverperceivedanythingofit，haveyou？Iamverygladtohear，afterallyourdelays，youhaveheardofacuracywhereyoumayreadallthecommandmentswithoutendangeringyourthroat。Iamalsostillmoregladtohearthatyourmothercontinuessteadilytoimprove。Idotrustthatyouwillhavenofurthercauseforuneasiness。Witheverywishforyourhappiness，mydearoldFox，Believemeyoursmostsincerely，CHARLESDARWIN。
CHARLESDARWINTOW。D。FOX。
Cambridge，Sunday，January23，1831。
MydearFox，IdohopeyouwillexcusemynotwritingbeforeItookmydegree。Ifeltaquiteinexplicableaversiontowritetoanybody。ButnowIdomostheartilycongratulateyouuponpassingyourexamination，andhopeyoufindyourcuracycomfortable。Ifitismylastshilling（Ihavenotmany），I
willcomeandpayyouavisit。
Idonotknowwhythedegreeshouldmakeonesomiserable，bothbeforeandafterwards。Irecollectyouweresufficientlywretchedbefore，andIcanassure[you]Iamnow，andwhatmakesitthemoreridiculousis，Iknownotwhatabout。IbelieveitisabeautifulprovisionofnaturetomakeoneregretthelessleavingsopleasantaplaceasCambridge;andamongstallitspleasures——Isayitforonceandforall——nonesogreatasmyfriendshipwithyou。Isentyouanewspaperyesterday，inwhichyouwillseewhatagoodplace[10th]IhavegotinthePoll。AsforChrist’s，didyoueverseesuchacollegeforproducingCaptainsandApostles？（The"Captain"isattheheadofthe"Poll":the"Apostles"arethelasttwelveintheMathematicalTripos。）TherearenomeneitheratEmmanuelorChrist’splucked。Cameronisgulfed，togetherwithotherthreeTrinityscholars！Myplansarenotatallsettled。IthinkIshallkeepthisterm，andthengoandeconomiseatShrewsbury，returnandtakemydegree。
Amanmaybeexcusedforwritingsomuchabouthimselfwhenhehasjustpassedtheexamination;soyoumustexcuse[me]。Andonthesameprincipledoyouwritealetterbrimfulofyourselfandplans。Iwanttoknowsomethingaboutyourexamination。Tellmeaboutthestateofyournerves;
whatbooksyougotup，andhowperfect。Itakeaninterestaboutthatsortofthing，asthetimewillcomewhenImustsuffer。Yourtutor，Thompson，beggedtoberememberedtoyou，andsodoesWhitley。Ifyouwillanswerthis，Iwillsendasmanystupidanswersasyoucandesire。
Believeme，dearFox，CHAS。DARWIN。
CHAPTER1。V。
THEAPPOINTMENTTOTHE’BEAGLE。’
[InaletteraddressedtoCaptainFitz—Roy，beforethe"Beagle"sailed，myfatherwrote，"Whatagloriousdaythe4thofNovember（The"Beagle"didnothowevermakeherfinalandsuccessfulstartuntilDecember27。）willbetome——mysecondlifewillthencommence，anditshallbeasabirthdayfortherestofmylife。"
Thecircumstanceswhichledtothissecondbirth——somuchmoreimportantthanmyfatherthenimagined——areconnectedwithhisCambridgelife，butmaybemoreappropriatelytoldinthepresentchapter。Foremostinthechainofcircumstanceswhichleadtohisappointmenttothe"Beagle"，wasmyfather’sfriendshipwithProfessorHenslow。Hewroteinapocket—bookordiary，whichcontainabriefrecordofdates，etc。，throughouthislife:——
"1831。CHRISTMAS。——PassedmyexaminationforB。A。degreeandkeptthetwofollowingterms。
"DuringthesemonthslivedmuchwithProfessorHenslow，oftendiningwithhimandwalkingwithhim;becameslightlyacquaintedwithseveralofthelearnedmeninCambridge，whichmuchquickenedthezealwhichdinnerpartiesandhuntinghadnotdestroyed。
"InthespringpaidMr。DawesavisitwithRamsayandKirby，andtalkedoveranexcursiontoTeneriffe。InthespringHenslowpersuadedmetothinkofGeology，andintroducedmetoSedgwick。DuringMidsummergeologisedalittleinShropshire。
"AUGUST。——WentonGeologicaltour（MentionedbySedgwickinhisprefacetoSalter’s’CatalogueofCambrianandSilurianFossils，’1873。）byLlangollen，Ruthin，Conway，Bangor，andCapelCurig，whereIleftProfessorSedgwick，andcrossedthemountaintoBarmouth。"
InalettertoFox（May，1831），myfatherwrites:——"Iamverybusy……andseeagreatdealofHenslow，whomIdonotknowwhetherIloveorrespectmost。"HisfeelingforthisadmirablemanisfinelyexpressedinaletterwhichhewrotetoRev。L。Blomefield（thenRev。L。Jenyns），whenthelatterwasengagedinhis’MemoirofProfessorHenslow’（published1862）。Thepassage（’MemoiroftheRev。JohnStevensHenslow，M。A。，’bytheRev。
LeonardJenyns。8vo。London，1862，page51。）hasbeenmadeuseofinthefirstofthememorialnoticeswrittenfor’Nature，’andMr。Romanespointsoutthatmyfather，"whiledescribingthecharacterofanother，isunconsciouslygivingamostaccuratedescriptionofhisown":——
"IwenttoCambridgeearlyintheyear1828，andsoonbecameacquainted，throughsomeofmybrotherentomologists，withProfessorHenslow，forallwhocaredforanybranchofnaturalhistorywereequallyencouragedbyhim。
Nothingcouldbemoresimple，cordial，andunpretendingthantheencouragementwhichheaffordedtoallyoungnaturalists。Isoonbecameintimatewithhim，forhehadaremarkablepowerofmakingtheyoungfeelcompletelyateasewithhim;thoughwewereallawe—struckwiththeamountofhisknowledge。BeforeIsawhim，Iheardoneyoungmansumuphisattainmentsbysimplysayingthathekneweverything。WhenIreflecthowimmediatelywefeltatperfecteasewithamanolder，andineverywaysoimmenselyoursuperior，Ithinkitwasasmuchowingtothetransparentsincerityofhischaracterastohiskindnessofheart;and，perhaps，evenstillmore，toahighlyremarkableabsenceinhimofallself—
consciousness。Oneperceivedatoncethatheneverthoughtofhisownvariedknowledgeorclearintellect，butsolelyonthesubjectinhand。
Anothercharm，whichmusthavestruckeveryone，wasthathismannertooldanddistinguishedpersonsandtotheyoungeststudentwasexactlythesame:
andtoallheshowedthesamewinningcourtesy。Hewouldreceivewithinterestthemosttriflingobservationinanybranchofnaturalhistory;
andhoweverabsurdablunderonemightmake，hepointeditoutsoclearlyandkindly，thatonelefthimnowaydisheartened，butonlydeterminedtobemoreaccuratethenexttime。Inshort，nomancouldbebetterformedtowintheentireconfidenceoftheyoung，andtoencouragethemintheirpursuits。
"HislecturesonBotanywereuniversallypopular，andasclearasdaylight。
Sopopularwerethey，thatseveraloftheoldermembersoftheUniversityattendedsuccessivecourses。Onceeveryweekhekeptopenhouseintheevening，andallwhocaredfornaturalhistoryattendedtheseparties，which，bythusfavouringinter—communication，didthesamegoodinCambridge，inaverypleasantmanner，astheScientificSocietiesdoinLondon。AtthesepartiesmanyofthemostdistinguishedmembersoftheUniversityoccasionallyattended;andwhenonlyafewwerepresent，Ihavelistenedtothegreatmenofthosedays，conversingonallsortsofsubjects，withthemostvariedandbrilliantpowers。Thiswasnosmalladvantagetosomeoftheyoungermen，asitstimulatedtheirmentalactivityandambition。Twoorthreetimesineachsessionhetookexcursionswithhisbotanicalclass;eitheralongwalktothehabitatofsomerareplant，orinabargedowntherivertothefens，orincoachestosomemoredistantplace，astoGamlingay，toseethewildlilyofthevalley，andtocatchontheheaththerarenatter—jack。Theseexcursionshaveleftadelightfulimpressiononmymind。Hewas，onsuchoccasions，inasgoodspiritsasaboy，andlaughedasheartilyasaboyatthemisadventuresofthosewhochasedthesplendidswallow—tailbutterfliesacrossthebrokenandtreacherousfens。Heusedtopauseeverynowandthentolectureonsomeplantorotherobject;andsomethinghecouldtellusoneveryinsect，shell，orfossilcollected，forhehadattendedtoeverybranchofnaturalhistory。Afterourday’sworkweusedtodineatsomeinnorhouse，andmostjovialwethenwere。Ibelieveallwhojoinedtheseexcursionswillagreewithmethattheyhaveleftanenduringimpressionofdelightonourminds。
"AstimepassedonatCambridgeIbecameveryintimatewithProfessorHenslow，andhiskindnesswasunbounded;hecontinuallyaskedmetohishouse，andallowedmetoaccompanyhiminhiswalks。Hetalkedonallsubjects，includinghisdeepsenseofreligion，andwasentirelyopen。I
ownmorethanIcanexpresstothisexcellentman……
"DuringtheyearswhenIassociatedsomuchwithProfessorHenslow，Ineveroncesawhistemperevenruffled。Henevertookanill—naturedviewofanyone’scharacter，thoughveryfarfromblindtothefoiblesofothers。Italwaysstruckmethathismindcouldnotbeeventouchedbyanypaltryfeelingofvanity，envy，orjealousy。Withallthisequabilityoftemperandremarkablebenevolence，therewasnoinsipidityofcharacter。Amanmusthavebeenblindnottohaveperceivedthatbeneaththisplacidexteriortherewasavigorousanddeterminedwill。Whenprinciplecameintoplay，nopoweronearthcouldhaveturnedhimonehair’s—breadth……
"Reflectingoverhischaracterwithgratitudeandreverence，hismoralattributesrise，astheyshoulddointhehighestcharacter，inpre—
eminenceoverhisintellect。"
InalettertoRev。L。Blomefield（Jenyns），May24，1862，myfatherwrotewiththesamefeelingsthathehadexpressedinhislettersthirtyyearsbefore:——
"IthankyoumostsincerelyforyourkindpresentofyourMemoirofHenslow。Ihavereadabouthalf，andithasinterestedmemuch。IdonotthinkthatIcouldhaveveneratedhimmorethanIdid;butyourbookhasevenexaltedhischaracterinmyeyes。Fromturningoverthepagesofthelatterhalf，IshouldthinkyouraccountwouldbeinvaluabletoanyclergymanwhowishedtofollowpoordearHenslow’snobleexample。Whatanadmirablemanhewas。"
Thegeologicalworkmentionedinthequotationfrommyfather’spocket—bookwasdoubtlessofimportanceasgivinghimsomepracticalexperience，andperhapsofmoreimportanceinhelpingtogivehimsomeconfidenceinhimself。InJulyofthesameyear，1831，hewas"workinglikeatiger"atGeology，andtryingtomakeamapofShropshire，butnotfindingit"aseasyasIexpected。"
InwritingtoHenslowaboutthesametime，hegivessomeaccountofhiswork:——
"Ishouldhavewrittentoyousometimeago，onlyIwasdeterminedtowaitfortheclinometer，andIamverygladtosayIthinkitwillansweradmirably。Iputallthetablesinmybedroomateveryconceivableangleanddirection。IwillventuretosayIhavemeasuredthemasaccuratelyasanygeologistgoingcoulddo……IhavebeenworkingatsomanythingsthatI
havenotgotonmuchwithgeology。IsuspectthefirstexpeditionItake，clinometerandhammerinhand，willsendmebackverylittlewiserandagooddealmorepuzzledthanwhenIstarted。AsyetIhaveonlyindulgedinhypotheses，buttheyaresuchpowerfulonesthatIsuppose，iftheywereputintoactionforbutoneday，theworldwouldcometoanend。"
HewasevidentlymostkeentogettoworkwithSedgwick，forhewrotetoHenslow:"IhavenotheardfromProfessorSedgwick，soIamafraidhewillnotpaytheSevernformationsavisit。Ihopeandtrustyoudidyourbesttourgehim。"
MyfatherhasgiveninhisRecollectionssomeaccountofthisTour。
TheretoowereadoftheprojectedexcursiontotheCanaries，ofwhichslightmentionoccursinletterstoFoxandHenslow。
InApril1831hewritestoFox:"AtpresentItalk，think，anddreamofaschemeIhavealmosthatchedofgoingtotheCanaryIslands。Ihavelonghadawishofseeingtropicalsceneryandvegetation，and，accordingtoHumboldt，Teneriffeisaveryprettyspecimen。"AndagaininMay:"AsformyCanaryscheme，itisrashofyoutoaskquestions;myotherfriendsmostsincerelywishmethere，Iplaguethemsowithtalkingabouttropicalscenery，etc。Eytonwillgonextsummer，andIamlearningSpanish。"
Lateroninthesummertheschemetookmoredefiniteform，andthedateseemstohavebeenfixedforJune，1832。HegotinformationinLondonaboutpassage—money，andinJulywasworkingatSpanishandcallingFox"ungrandisimolebron，"inproofofhisknowledgeofthelanguage;which，however，hefound"intenselystupid。"Buteventhenheseemstohavehadsomedoubtsabouthiscompanions’zeal，forhewritestoHenslow（July27，1831）:"IhopeyoucontinuetofanyourCanaryardour。Ireadandre—readHumboldt;doyoudothesame？IamsurenothingwillpreventusseeingtheGreatDragonTree。"
GeologicalworkandTeneriffedreamscarriedhimthroughthesummer，tillonreturningfromBarmouthforthesacred1stofSeptember，hereceivedtheofferofappointmentasNaturalisttothe"Beagle"。
Thefollowingextractfromthepocket—bookwillbeahelpinreadingtheletters:——
"ReturnedtoShrewsburyatendofAugust。Refusedofferofvoyage。
"September。——WenttoMaer，returnedwithUncleJos。toShrewsbury，thencetoCambridge。London。
"11th。——WentwithCaptainFitz—RoyinsteamertoPlymouthtoseethe"Beagle"。
"22nd。——ReturnedtoShrewsbury，passingthroughCambridge。
"October2nd。——Tookleaveofmyhome。StayedinLondon。
"24th——ReachedPlymouth。
"OctoberandNovember。——Thesemonthsverymiserable。
"December10th。——Sailed，butwereobligedtoputback。
"21st。——Puttoseaagain，andweredrivenback。
"27th。——SailedfromEnglandonourCircumnavigation。"
GEORGEPEACOCK（FormerlyDeanofEly，andLowndeanProfessorofAstronomyatCambridge。）TOJ。S。HENSLOW。
7SuffolkStreet，PallMallEast。
[1831。]
MydearHenslow，CaptainFitz—RoyisgoingouttosurveythesoutherncoastofTierradelFuego，andafterwardstovisitmanyoftheSouthSeaIslands，andtoreturnbytheIndianArchipelago。Thevesselisfittedoutexpresslyforscientificpurposes，combinedwiththesurvey;itwillfurnish，therefore，arareopportunityforanaturalist，anditwouldbeagreatmisfortunethatitshouldbelost。
Anofferhasbeenmadetometorecommendaproperpersontogooutasanaturalistwiththisexpedition;hewillbetreatedwitheveryconsideration。TheCaptainisayoungmanofverypleasingmanners（anephewoftheDukeofGrafton），ofgreatzealinhisprofession，andwhoisveryhighlyspokenof;ifLeonardJenynscouldgo，whattreasureshemightbringhomewithhim，astheshipwouldbeplacedathisdisposalwheneverhisinquiriesmadeitnecessaryordesirable。Intheabsenceofsoaccomplishedanaturalist，isthereanypersonwhomyoucouldstronglyrecommend？hemustbesuchapersonaswoulddocredittoourrecommendation。Dothinkofthissubject，itwouldbeaseriouslosstothecauseofnaturalscienceifthisfineopportunitywaslost……
TheshipsailsabouttheendofSeptember。
Writeimmediately，andtellmewhatcanbedone。
Believeme，MydearHenslow，Mosttrulyyours，GEORGEPEACOCK。
J。S。HENSLOWTOC。DARWIN。
Cambridge，August24，1831。
MydearDarwin，BeforeIenterupontheimmediatebusinessofthisletter，letuscondoletogetheruponthelossofourinestimablefriendpoorRamsay，ofwhosedeathyouhaveundoubtedlyheardlongbeforethis。
Iwillnotnowdwelluponthispainfulsubject，asIshallhopetoseeyoushortly，fullyexpectingthatyouwilleagerlycatchattheofferwhichislikelytobemadeyouofatriptoTierradelFuego，andhomebytheEastIndies。IhavebeenaskedbyPeacock，whowillreadandforwardthistoyoufromLondon，torecommendhimaNaturalistascompaniontoCaptainFitz—Roy，employedbyGovernmenttosurveythesouthernextremityofAmerica。IhavestatedthatIconsideryoutobethebestqualifiedpersonIknowofwhoislikelytoundertakesuchasituation。IstatethisnotinthesuppositionofyourbeingaFINISHEDnaturalist，butasamplyqualifiedforcollecting，observing，andnoting，anythingworthytobenotedinNaturalHistory。Peacockhastheappointmentathisdisposal，andifhecannotfindamanwillingtotaketheoffice，theopportunitywillprobablybelost。CaptainFitz—Roywantsaman（Iunderstand）moreasacompanionthanamerecollector，andwouldnottakeanyone，howevergoodanaturalist，whowasnotrecommendedtohimlikewiseasaGENTLEMAN。
Particularsofsalary，etc。，Iknownothing。Thevoyageistolasttwoyears，andifyoutakeplentyofbookswithyou，anythingyoupleasemaybedone。Youwillhaveampleopportunitiesatcommand。Inshort，Isupposethereneverwasafinerchanceforamanofzealandspirit;CaptainFitz—
Royisayoungman。WhatIwishyoutodoisinstantlytocomeandconsultwithPeacock（atNo。7SuffolkStreet，PallMallEast，orelseattheUniversityClub），andlearnfurtherparticulars。Don’tputonanymodestdoubtsorfearsaboutyourdisqualifications，forIassureyouIthinkyouaretheverymantheyareinsearchof;soconceiveyourselftobetappedontheshoulderbyyourbum—bailiffandaffectionatefriend，J。S。HENSLOW。
Theexpeditionistosailon25thSeptember（atearliest），sothereisnotimetobelost。
G。PEACOCKTOC。DARWIN。
[1831。]
MydearSir，IreceivedHenslow’sletterlastnighttoolatetoforwardittoyoubythepost;acircumstancewhichIdonotregret，asithasgivenmeanopportunityofseeingCaptainBeaufortattheAdmiralty（theHydrographer），andofstatingtohimtheofferwhichIhavetomaketoyou。Heentirelyapprovesofit，andyoumayconsiderthesituationasatyourabsolutedisposal。Itrustthatyouwillacceptit，asitisanopportunitywhichshouldnotbelost，andIlookforwardwithgreatinteresttothebenefitwhichourcollectionsofNaturalHistorymayreceivefromyourlabours。
Thecircumstancesarethese;——
CaptainFitz—Roy（anephewoftheDukeofGrafton）sailsattheendofSeptember，inashiptosurvey，inthefirstinstance，theSouthCoastofTierradelFuego，afterwardstovisittheSouthSeaIslands，andtoreturnbytheIndianArchipelagotoEngland。Theexpeditionisentirelyforscientificpurposes，andtheshipwillgenerallywaityourleisureforresearchesinNaturalHistory，etc。CaptainFitz—Royisapublic—spiritedandzealousofficer，ofdelightfulmanners，andgreatlybelovedbyallhisbrotherofficers。HewentwithCaptainBeechey（For’Beechey’read’King。’
IdonotfindthenameFitz—RoyinthelistofBeechey’sofficers。TheFuegianswerebroughtbackfromCaptainKing’svoyage。），andspent1500
poundsinbringingoverandeducatingathisownchargethreenativesofPatagonia。Heengagesathisownexpenseanartistat200poundsayeartogowithhim。Youmaybesure，therefore，ofhavingaverypleasantcompanion，whowillenterheartilyintoallyourviews。
TheshipsailsabouttheendofSeptember，andyoumustlosenotimeinmakingknownyouracceptancetoCaptainBeaufort，AdmiraltyHydrographer。
Ihavehadagooddealofcorrespondenceaboutthismatter[withHenslow？]，whofeels，incommonwithmyself，thegreatestanxietythatyoushouldgo。
Ihopethatnootherarrangementsarelikelytointerferewithit……
TheAdmiraltyarenotdisposedtogiveasalary，thoughtheywillfurnishyouwithanofficialappointment，andeveryaccommodation。Ifasalaryshouldberequired，however，Iaminclinedtothinkthatitwouldbegranted。
Believeme，mydearSir，Verytrulyyours，GEORGEPEACOCK。
CHARLESDARWINTOJ。S。HENSLOW。
Shrewsbury，Tuesday[August30？，1831]。
MydearSir，Mr。Peacock’sletterarrivedonSaturday，andIreceiveditlateyesterdayevening。Asfarasmyownmindisconcerned，Ishould，IthinkCERTAINLY，mostgladlyhaveacceptedtheopportunitywhichyousokindlyhaveofferedme。Butmyfather，althoughhedoesnotdecidedlyrefuseme，givessuchstrongadviceagainstgoing，thatIshouldnotbecomfortableifIdidnotfollowit。
Myfather’sobjectionsarethese:theunfittingmetosettledownasaClergyman，mylittlehabitofseafaring，THESHORTNESSOFTHETIME，andthechanceofmynotsuitingCaptainFitz—Roy。Itiscertainlyaveryseriousobjection，theveryshorttimeforallmypreparations，asnotonlybodybutmindwantsmakingupforsuchanundertaking。ButifithadnotbeenformyfatherIwouldhavetakenallrisks。WhatwasthereasonthataNaturalistwasnotlongagofixedupon？Iamverymuchobligedforthetroubleyouhavehadaboutit;therecertainlycouldnothavebeenabetteropportunity……
MytripwithSedgwickansweredmostperfectly。IdidnothearofpoorMr。
Ramsay’slosstillafewdaysbeforeyourletter。IhavebeenluckyhithertoinneverlosinganypersonforwhomIhadanyesteemoraffection。
Myacquaintance，althoughveryshort，wassufficienttogivemethosefeelingsinagreatdegree。Icanhardlymakemyselfbelieveheisnomore。HewasthefinestcharacterIeverknew。
Yoursmostsincerely，MydearSir，CH。DARWIN。
IhavewrittentoMr。Peacock，andImentionedthatIhaveaskedyoutosendonelineinthechanceofhisnotgettingmyletter。IhavealsoaskedhimtocommunicatewithCaptainFitz—Roy。EvenifIwastogo，myfatherdislikingwouldtakeawayallenergy，andIshouldwantagoodstockofthat。AgainImustthankyou，itaddsalittletotheheavybutpleasantloadofgratitudewhichIowetoyou。
CHARLESDARWINTOR。W。DARWIN。
[Maer]August31，[1831]。
MydearFather，IamafraidIamgoingtomakeyouagainveryuncomfortable。But，uponconsideration，Ithinkyouwillexcusemeonceagain，statingmyopinionsontheofferofthevoyage。MyexcuseandreasonisthedifferentwayalltheWedgwoodsviewthesubjectfromwhatyouandmysistersdo。
IhavegivenUncleJos（JosiahWedgwood。）whatIferventlytrustisanaccurateandfulllistofyourobjections，andheiskindenoughtogivehisopinionsonall。Thelistandhisanswerswillbeenclosed。ButmayI
begofyouonefavour，itwillbedoingmethegreatestkindness，ifyouwillsendmeadecidedanswer，yesorno？Ifthelatter，IshouldbemostungratefulifIdidnotimplicitlyyieldtoyourbetterjudgment，andtothekindestindulgenceyouhaveshownmeallthroughmylife;andyoumayrelyuponitIwillnevermentionthesubjectagain。Ifyouranswershouldbeyes;IwillgodirectlytoHenslowandconsultdeliberatelywithhim，andthencometoShrewsbury。
ThedangerappearstomeandalltheWedgwoodsnotgreat。Theexpensecannotbeserious，andthetimeIdonotthink，anyhow，wouldbemorethrownawaythenifIstayedathome。ButpraydonotconsiderthatIamsobentongoingthatIwouldforoneSINGLEMOMENThesitate，ifyouthoughtthatafterashortperiodyoushouldcontinueuncomfortable。
ImustagainstateIcannotthinkitwouldunfitmehereafterforasteadylife。Idohopethisletterwillnotgiveyoumuchuneasiness。Isenditbythecarto—morrowmorning;ifyoumakeupyourminddirectlywillyousendmeanansweronthefollowingdaybythesamemeans？Ifthislettershouldnotfindyouathome，Ihopeyouwillanswerassoonasyouconvenientlycan。
IdonotknowwhattosayaboutUncleJos’kindness;Inevercanforgethowheinterestshimselfaboutme。
Believeme，mydearfather，Youraffectionateson，CHARLESDARWIN。
[Herefollowsthelistofobjectionswhicharereferredtointhefollowingletter:——
1。DisreputabletomycharacterasaClergymanhereafter。
2。Awildscheme。
3。ThattheymusthaveofferedtomanyothersbeforemetheplaceofNaturalist。
4。Andfromitsnotbeingacceptedtheremustbesomeseriousobjectiontothevesselorexpedition。
5。ThatIshouldneversettledowntoasteadylifehereafter。
6。Thatmyaccommodationswouldbemostuncomfortable。
7。Thatyou[i。e。Dr。Darwin]shouldconsideritasagainchangingmyprofession。
8。Thatitwouldbeauselessundertaking。]
JOSIAHWEDGWOODTOR。W。DARWIN。
Maer，August31，1831。
[Readthislast。]（InC。Darwin’swriting。）
MydearDoctor，IfeeltheresponsibilityofyourapplicationtomeontheofferthathasbeenmadetoCharlesasbeingweighty，butasyouhavedesiredCharlestoconsultme，IcannotrefusetogivetheresultofsuchconsiderationasI
havebeenableto[give？]it。
Charleshasputdownwhatheconceivestobeyourprincipalobjections，andIthinkthebestcourseIcantakewillbetostatewhatoccurstomeuponeachofthem。
1。IshouldnotthinkthatitwouldbeinanydegreedisreputabletohischaracterasaClergyman。Ishouldonthecontrarythinktheofferhonourabletohim;andthepursuitofNaturalHistory，thoughcertainlynotprofessional，isverysuitabletoaclergyman。
2。Ihardlyknowhowtomeetthisobjection，buthewouldhavedefiniteobjectsuponwhichtoemployhimself，andmightacquireandstrengthenhabitsofapplication，andIshouldthinkwouldbeaslikelytodosoasinanywayinwhichheislikelytopassthenexttwoyearsathome。
3。Thenotiondidnotoccurtomeinreadingtheletters;andonreadingthemagainwiththatobjectinmymindIseenogroundforit。
4。IcannotconceivethattheAdmiraltywouldsendoutabadvesselonsuchaservice。Astoobjectionstotheexpedition，theywilldifferineachman’scase，andnothingwould，Ithink，beinferredinCharles’scase，ifitwereknownthatothershadobjected。
5。YouareamuchbetterjudgeofCharles’scharacterthanIcanbe。Ifoncomparingthismodeofspendingthenexttwoyearswiththewayinwhichhewillprobablyspendthem，ifhedoesnotacceptthisoffer，youthinkhimmorelikelytoberenderedunsteadyandunabletosettle，itisundoubtedlyaweightyobjection。Isitnotthecasethatsailorsarepronetosettleindomesticandquiethabits？
6。IcanformnoopiniononthisfurtherthanthatifappointedbytheAdmiraltyhewillhaveaclaimtobeaswellaccommodatedasthevesselwillallow。
7。IfIsawCharlesnowabsorbedinprofessionalstudiesIshouldprobablythinkitwouldnotbeadvisabletointerruptthem;butthisisnot，and，I
think，willnotbethecasewithhim。Hispresentpursuitofknowledgeisinthesametrackashewouldhavetofollowintheexpedition。
8。Theundertakingwouldbeuselessasregardshisprofession，butlookinguponhimasamanofenlargedcuriosity，itaffordshimsuchanopportunityofseeingmenandthingsashappenstofew。
YouwillbearinmindthatIhavehadverylittletimeforconsideration，andthatyouandCharlesarethepersonswhomustdecide。
Iam，MydearDoctor，Affectionatelyyours，JOSIAHWEDGWOOD。
CHARLESDARWINTOJ。S。HENSLOW。
Cambridge，RedLion[September2]，1831。
MydearSir，Iamjustarrived;youwillguessthereason。Myfatherhaschangedhismind。Itrusttheplaceisnotgivenaway。
Iamverymuchfatigued，andamgoingtobed。
Idaresayyouhavenotyetgotmysecondletter。
HowsoonshallIcometoyouinthemorning？Sendaverbalanswer。
Good—night，Yours，C。DARWIN。
CHARLESDARWINTOMISSSUSANDARWIN。
Cambridge，SundayMorning[September4]。
MydearSusan，Asaletterwouldnothavegoneyesterday，Iputoffwritingtillto—day。
Ihadratherawearisomejourney，butgotintoCambridgeveryfresh。ThewholeofyesterdayIspentwithHenslow，thinkingofwhatistobedone，andthatIfindisagreatdeal。BygreatgoodluckIknowamanofthenameofWood，nephewofLordLondonderry。HeisagreatfriendofCaptainFitz—Roy，andhaswrittentohimaboutme。IheardapartofCaptainFitz—
Roy’sletter，datedsometimeago，inwhichhesays:"Ihavearightgoodsetofofficers，andmostofmymenhavebeentherebefore。"Itseemshehasbeenthereforthelastfewyears;hewasthensecondincommandwiththesamevesselthathehasnowchosen。Heisonlytwenty—threeyearsold，but[has]seenadealofservice，andwonthegoldmedalatPortsmouth。
TheAdmiraltysayhismapsaremostperfect。Hehadchoiceoftwovessels，andhechosethesmallest。Henslowwillgivemeletterstoalltravellersintownwhomhethinksmayassistme。
PeacockhassoleappointmentofNaturalist。ThefirstpersonofferedwasLeonardJenyns，whowassonearacceptingitthathepackeduphisclothes。
Buthaving[a]living，hedidnotthinkitrighttoleaveit——tothegreatregretofallhisfamily。Henslowhimselfwasnotveryfarfromacceptingit，forMrs。Henslowmostgenerously，andwithoutbeingasked，gaveherconsent;butshelookedsomiserablethatHenslowatoncesettledthepoint……
Iamafraidtherewillbeagooddealofexpenseatfirst。Henslowismuchagainsttakingmanythings;itis[the]mistakeallyoungtravellersfallinto。Iwriteasifitwassettled，butHenslowtellsmeBYNOMEANStomakeupmymindtillIhavehadlongconversationswithCaptainsBeaufortandFitz—Roy。Good—bye。Youwillhearfrommeconstantly。Direct17
SpringGardens。TELLNOBODYinShropshireyet。Besurenot。
C。DARWIN。
IwassotiredthateveningIwasinShrewsburythatIthankednoneofyouforyourkindnesshalfsomuchasIfelt。
Lovetomyfather。
ThereasonIdon’twantpeopletoldinShropshire:incaseIshouldnotgo，itwillmakeitmoreflat。
CHARLESDARWINTOMISSS。DARWIN。
17SpringGardens，Monday[September5，1831]。
IhavesolittletimetosparethatIhavenonetowasteinre—writingletters，sothatyoumustexcusemybringinguptheotherwithmeandalteringit。Thelastletterwaswritteninthemorning。In[the]middleof[the]day，WoodreceivedaletterfromCaptainFitz—Roy，whichImustsaywasMOSTstraightforwardandGENTLEMANLIKE，butsomuchagainstmygoing，thatIimmediatelygaveupthescheme;andHenslowdidthesame，sayingthathethoughtPeacockhadactedVERYWRONGinmisrepresentingthingssomuch。
Iscarcelythoughtofgoingtotown，buthereIam;andnowformoredetails，andmuchmorepromisingones。CaptainFitz—Royis[in]town，andIhaveseenhim;itisnouseattemptingtopraisehimasmuchasIfeelinclinedtodo，foryouwouldnotbelieveme。OnethingIamcertain，nothingcouldbemoreopenandkindthanhewastome。Itseemshehadpromisedtotakeafriendwithhim，whoisinofficeandcannotgo，andheonlyreceivedtheletterfiveminutesbeforeIcamein;andthismakesthingsmuchbetterforme，aswantofroomwasoneofFitz—Roy’sgreatestobjections。HeoffersmetogoshareineverythinginhiscabinifIliketocome，andeverysortofaccommodationthatIcanhave，buttheywillnotbenumerous。HesaysnothingwouldbesomiserableforhimashavingmewithhimifIwasuncomfortable，asinasmallvesselwemustbethrowntogether，andthoughtithisdutytostateeverythingintheworstpointofview。IthinkIshallgoonSundaytoPlymouthtoseethevessel。
Thereissomethingmostextremelyattractiveinhismannersandwayofcomingstraighttothepoint。IfIlivewithhim，hesaysImustlivepoorly——nowine，andtheplainestdinners。TheschemeisnotcertainlysogoodasPeacockdescribes。CaptainFitz—Royadvisesmenot[to]makeupmymindquiteyet，butthat，seriously，hethinksitwillhavemuchmorepleasurethanpainforme。Thevesseldoesnotsailtillthe10thofOctober。Itcontainssixtymen，fiveorsixofficers，etc。，butisasmallvessel。Itwillprobablybeoutnearlythreeyears。Ishallpaytothemessthesameas[the]Captaindoeshimself，30poundsperannum;andFitz—