128 APPOINTMENT TO THE BEAGLE. [ch. v. 



of pistols like his, which cost 60 ! ! and never to go on 

 shore anywhere without loaded ones, and he is doubting 

 about a rifle ; he says I cannot appreciate the luxury of 

 fresh meat here. Of course I shall buy nothing till every- 

 thing is settled ; but I work all day long at my lists, putting 

 in and striking out articles. This is the first really cheerful 

 day I have spent since I received the letter, and it all is 

 owing to the sort of involuntary confidence I i;>lace in my 

 beau ideal of a Captain. 



We stop at Teneriffe. His object is to stop at as many 

 places as possible. He takes out twenty chronometers, and 

 it will be a " sin " not to settle the longitude. He tells me 

 to get it down in writing at the Admiralty that I have the 

 free choice to leave as soon and whenever I like. I daresay 

 you expect I shall turn back at the Madeira ; if I have a mor- 

 sel of stomach left, I won't give up. Excuse my so often 

 troubling and writing : the one is of great utility, the other 

 a great amusement to me. Most likely I shall write to- 

 morrow. Answer by return of post. Love to my father, 

 dearest Susan. 



C. D. to J. 8. Henslow. Devonport [November 15, 183.1]. 



My dear Henslow The orders are come down from 

 the Admiralty, and everything is finally settled. We posi- 

 tively sail the last day of this month, and I think before 

 that time the vessel will be ready. She looks most beauti- 

 ful, even a landsman must admire her. We all think her 

 the most perfect vessel ever turned out of the Dockyard. 

 One thing is certain, no vessel has been fitted out so expen- 

 sively, and with so much care. Everything that can be 

 made so is of mahogany, and nothing can exceed the neat- 

 ness and beauty of all the accommodations. The instruc- 

 tions are very general, and leave a great deal to the Captain's 

 discretion and judgment, paying a substantial as well as a 

 verbal compliment to him 



No vessel ever left England with such a set of Chronome- 

 ters, viz. twenty-four, all very good ones. In short, every- 

 thing is well, and I have only now to pray for the sickness 

 to moderate its fierceness, and I shall do very well. Yet I 

 should not call it one of the very best opportunities for 

 natural history that has ever occurred. The absolute want 

 of room is an evil that nothing can surmount. I think L. 

 Jenyns did very wisely in not coming, that is, judging from 



