146 THE VOYAGE. [en. vi. 



cular bodies. I never saw any of the diminutive Portuguese, 

 with their murderous countenances, without almost wishing 

 for Brazil to follow the example of Hayti ; and, considering 

 the enormous healthy-looking black population, it will be 

 wonderful if, at some future day, it does not take place. 

 There is at Rio a man (I know not his title) who has a large 

 salary to prevent (I believe) the landing of slaves ; he lives 

 at Botofogo, and yet that was the bay where, during my 

 residence, the greater number of smuggled slaves were 

 landed. Some of the Anti-Slavery people ought to question 

 about his office ; it was the subject of conversation at Rio 

 amongst the lower English. . . 



0. D. to J. S. Hensloiv. Sydney [January, 1836]. 



My dear Henslow This is the last opportunity of 

 communicating with you before that joyful day when I 

 shall reach Cambridge. I have very little to say: but I 

 must write if it is only to express my joy that the last year 

 is concluded, and that the present one, in which the Beagle 

 will return, is gliding onward. We have all been disap- 

 pointed here in not finding even a single letter ; we are, in- 

 deed, rather before our expected time, otherwise, I dare say, 

 I should have seen your handwriting. I must feed upon 

 the future, and it is beyond bounds delightful to feel the 

 certainty that within eight months I shall be residing once 

 again most quietly in Cambridge. Certainly, I never was 

 intended for a traveller ; my thoughts are always rambling 

 over past or future scenes ; I cannot enjoy the present hap- 

 piness for anticipating the future, which is about as foolish 

 as the dog who dropped the real bone for its shadow. . . . 



I must return to my old resource and think of the future, 

 but that I may not become more prosy, I will say farewell 

 till the day arrives, when I shall see my Master in Natural 

 History, and can tell him how grateful I feel for his kind- 

 ness and friendship. 



Believe me, dear Henslow, ever yours most faithfully. 



C. D. to J. S. Henslow. Shrewsbury [October 6, 1836]. 



My dear Henslow I am sure you will congratulate 

 me on the delight of once again being home. The Beagle 

 arrived at Falmouth on Sunday evening, and I reached 

 Shrewsbury yesterday morning. I am exceedingly anxious 



