CHAPTER V. 



THE APPOINTMENT TO THE ' BEAGLE.' 



[In a letter addressed to Captain Fitz-Roy, before the 

 Beagle sailed, my father wrote, " What a glorious day the 

 4th of November * will be to me — my second life will then 

 commence, and it shall be as a birthday for the rest of my 

 life." 



The circumstances which led to this second birth — so 

 much more important than my father then imagined — are con- 

 nected with his Cambridge life, but may be more appropri- 

 ately told in the present chapter. Foremost in the chain of 

 circumstances which led to his appointment to the Beagle^ 

 was my father's friendship with Professor Henslow. He 

 wrote in a pocket-book or diary, which contain a brief record 

 of dates, &c., throughout his life : — 



"183 1. Christmas. — Passed my examination for B. A. de- 

 gree and kept the two following terms. 



" During these months lived much with Professor Hens- 

 low, often dining with him and walking with him ; became 

 slightly acquainted with several of the learned men in Cam- 

 bridge, which much quickened the zeal which dinner parties 

 and hunting had not destroyed. 



• ** In the spring paid Mr. Dawes a visit with Ramsay and 

 Kirby, and talked over an excursion to Teneriffe. In the 



* The Beagle did not however make her final and successful start until 

 December 27. 



