l88 APPOINTMENT TO THE ' BEAGLE.' ^TAT. 22. [1831, 



C. Darwin to J. S. Henslow. 



Devonport, November 15, 1831. 

 My dear Henslow, 



The orders are come down from the Admiralty, and every- 

 thing is finally settled. We positively sail the last day of this 

 month, and I think before that time the vessel will be ready. 

 She looks most beautiful, 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 expensively, and with so much care. Everything that 

 can be made so is of mahogany, and nothing can exceed the 

 neatness and beauty of all the accommodations. The in- 

 structions 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 Chronom- 

 eters, 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 natu- 

 ral 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 my own 

 feelings, for I am sure if I had left college some few years, or 

 been those years older, I never could have endured it. The 

 officers (excepting the Captain) are like the freshest fresh- 

 men, that is in their manners, in everything else widely differ- 

 ent. Remember me most kindly to him, and tell him if ever 

 he dreams in the night of palm-trees, he may in the morning 

 comfort himself with the assurance that the voyage would not 

 have suited him. 



I am much obliged for your advice, de Mathematicis. I 

 suspect when I am struggling with a triangle, I shall often 

 wish myself in your-room, and as for those wicked sulky surds, 

 I do not know what I shall do without you to conjure them. 



