CHAPTER VI. 



WE have already gathered much concerning Dar- 

 win's mental and moral fibre in our survey of his 

 works. Let us make some further acquaintance with his 

 personality as known to his friends. Outwardly he ap- 

 peared a man of powerful physique, standing six feet 

 high, with prominent forehead and over-arching brow, 

 and keen, deep-set eyes in which resolute strength and 

 piercing insight were indicated. Apart from his persistent 

 infirmity, he was actively disposed, as indeed is evident 

 from the laborious journeys he undertook during his 

 travels. Field sports, including hunting, were among the 

 recreations of his more active years. But through all his 

 work or recreation the imperious conditions necessitated 

 by his infirmity of stomach had to be considered, and 

 nothing but the most rigorous care could possibly have 

 enabled him to achieve what he did. On many days he 

 could not work at all, and on many others two or three 

 hours were his limit. And what but his own system, his 

 own orderliness and perseverance could have accom- 

 plished his task ? In preparing his books he had a 

 special set of shelves for each, standing on or near his 

 writing-table, one shelf for each chapter. The maxim, 



