106 WORK ON 'MAN.' [1869. 



Mr. Woolner, I should say that the point in which the bust 



fails somewhat as a portrait, is that it has a certain air, almost 



of pomposity, which seems to me foreign to my father's 



expression.] 



1869. 



[At the beginning of the year he was at work in preparing 

 the fifth edition of the ' Origin.' This work was begun on 

 the day after Christmas, 1868, and was continued for "forty- 

 six days," as he notes in his diary, i.e. until February 10th, 

 1869. He then, February nth, returned to Sexual Selection, 

 and continued at this subject (excepting for ten days given 

 up to Orchids, and a week in ^London), until June 10th, 

 when he went with his family to North Wales, where he 

 remained about seven weeks, returning to Down on July 31st. 



Caerdeon, the house where he stayed, is built on the north 

 shore of the beautiful Barmouth estuary, and is pleasantly 

 placed in being close to wild hill country behind, as well as 

 to the picturesque wooded " hummocks," between the steeper 

 hills and the river. My father was ill and somewhat depressed 

 throughout this visit, and I think felt saddened at being 

 imprisoned by his want of strength, and unable even to reach 

 the hills over which he had once wandered for days together. 



He wrote from Caerdeon to Sir J. D. Hooker (June 22nd) : — 



" We have been here for ten days, how I wish it was 

 possible for you to pay us a visit here ; we have a beautiful 

 house with a terraced garden, and a really magnificent view 

 of Cader, right opposite. Old Cader is a grand fellow, and 

 shows himself off superbly with every changing light. We 

 remain here till the end of July, when the H. Wedgwoods 

 have the house. I have been as yet in a very poor way ; it 

 seems as soon as the stimulus of mental work stops, my 

 whole strength gives way. As yet I have hardly crawled half 

 a mile from the house, and then have been fearfully fatigued. 

 It is enough to make one wish oneself quiet in a comfortable 

 tomb." 



