divinity school. The real fact was that sportsmanship 

 was already becoming distasteful to young Darwin, 

 and his hunting expeditions were now largely carried 

 on with a botanist's drum and a geologist's hammer. 

 Q, But to the practical Doctor these things were no bet- 

 ter than the gun — it was idling, anyway. Natural His- 

 tory as a pastime w^as excellent, and sportsmanship 

 for exercise and recreation had its place, but the busi- 

 ness of life must not be neglected — Charles should get 

 himself to a divinity school and quickly, too. 

 Things urged become repellant — and Charles was 

 groping around for an excuse when a letter came from 

 Professor Henslow saying, among other things, that 

 the Government was about to send a ship around the 

 w^orld on a scientific surveying tour, especially to map 

 the coast of Patagonia, & other parts of South Amer- 

 ica and Australia. A volunteer naturalist w^as wanted 

 — board and passage free, but the volunteer was to 

 supply his own clothes and instruments. 

 The proposition gave Charles a great thrill : he gave a 

 gulp and a gasp and went in search of his father. The 

 father saw nothing in the plan beyond the fact that the 

 Government w^as going to get several years' w^ork out 

 of some foolish young man, for nothing — gadzooks! 

 Charles insisted — he wanted to go ! He urged that on 

 this trip he would be to but very little expense. '*You say 

 I have cost you much, but the fellow who can spend 

 money on board ship must be very clever." 

 '* But you are a very clever young man, they say," the 

 father replied. 



165 



LITTLE 

 JOURNEYS 



