I843.J CAPTAIN FITZ-ROY. 299 



1848, May. — Fortnight at Shrewsbury. 

 „ July. — Week at Swanage. 



„ October. — Fortnight at Shrewsbury. 



,. November. — Eleven days at Shrewsbury. 



1849, March to June. — Sixteen weeks at Malvern. 



,, September. — Eleven days at Birmingham for the 

 British Association. 



1850, June. — Week at Malvern. 



„ August. — Week at Leith Hill, the house of a relative. 

 „ October. — Week at the house of another relative. 



1851, March. — Week at Malvern. 



„ April. — Nine days at Malvern. 

 „ July. — Twelve days in London. 



1852, March. — Week at Rugby and Shrewsbury. 



„ September. — Six days at the house of a relative. 



1853, July. — Three weeks at Eastbourne. 



„ August. — Five days at the military Camp at Chob- 

 ham. 



1854, March. — Five days at the house of a relative. 

 „ July. — Three days at the house of a relative. 

 „ October. — Six days at the house of a relative. 



It will be seen that he was absent from home sixty weeks 

 in twelve years. But i': must be remembered that much of 

 the remaining time sj)ent at Down was lost through ill- 

 health.] 



Letters. 



C. Darwin to R. FitzRoy. 



Down [March 31st, 1843]. 



Dear Fitz-Roy, — I read yesterday with surprise and the 

 greatest interest, your appointment as Governor of New Zea- 

 land. I do not know whether to congratulate you on it, but 

 I am sure I may the Colony, on possessing your zeal and 

 energy. I am most anxious to know whether the report is 

 true, for I cannot bear the thoughts of your leaving the 

 country without seeing you once again ; the past is often in 



