i832.] RIO. 207 



But Geology carries the day : it is like the pleasure of 

 gambling. Speculating, on first arriving, what the rocks may 

 be, I often mentally cry out 3 to i tertiary against primitive ; 

 but the latter have hitherto won all the bets. So much for 

 the grand end of my voyage ; in other respects things are 

 equally flourishing. My life, when at sea, is so quiet, that to 

 a person who can employ himself, nothing can be pleasanter; 

 the beauty of the sky and brilliancy of the ocean together 

 make a picture. But when on shore, and wandering in the 

 sublime forests, surrounded by views more gorgeous than 

 even Claude ever imagined, I enjoy a delight which none but 

 those who have experienced it can understand. If it is to be 

 done, it must be by studying Humboldt. At our ancient 

 snug breakfasts, at Cambridge, I little thought that the wide 

 Atlantic would ever separate us ; but it is a rare privilege that 

 with the body, the feelings and memory are not divided. On 

 the contrary, the pleasantest scenes in my life, many of which 

 have been in Cambridge, rise from the contrast of the present, 

 the more vividly in my imagination. Do you think any 

 diamond beetle will ever give me so much pleasure as our old 

 friend crux major 1 .... It is one of my most constant 

 amusements to draw pictures of the past ; and in them I 

 often see you and poor little Fan. Oh, Lord, and then old 

 Dash, poor thing ! Do you recollect how you all tormented 

 me about his beautiful tail } 



.... Think when you are picking insects off a haw- 

 thorn-hedge on a fine May day (wretchedly cold, I have no 

 doubt), think of me collecting amongst pine -apples and orange- 

 trees ; whilst staining your fingers with dirty blackberries, 

 think and be envious of ripe oranges. This is a proper piece 

 of bravado, for I would walk through many a mile of sleet, 

 snow, or rain to shake you by the hand. My dear old Fox, 

 God bless you. Believe me, 



Yours very affectionately, 



Chas. Darwin. 



