46 THE ANTAECTIC VOYAGE : PEELIMINAEIES 



History companions to keep up the zest of the thing, and 

 though I think very favourably of most of your companions, 

 I could have wished to have witnessed their conversation 

 taking a more scientific and soberer turn. Above all I 

 should have liked to have seen them pay more respect to 

 the Sabbath. Do you do so, my dear Boy, and carry some- 

 thing of the Sabbath into the week and I am sure you will 

 be a happier man for it. 



The days pass in preparation till well on into September. 



Our Mess Eoom [he writes to his grandfather] is fitted 

 up with redwood and painted Birds-eye Maple ; it is 

 abundantly lighted from above and calculated to hold ten, 

 half that number is all that will at present occupy it. Each 

 has a small cabin of his own ; its dimensions are 6x4; 

 it is fitted with a bed-place, a book shelf, a seat, table, etc. ; 

 below the bed are very large drawers for our things ; it is 

 lighted by a large circular bull's eye on deck ; we fit them 

 up as we please ; mine is to be painted satinwood, with 

 brass rods and curtains before the door and bed, to be used 

 in hot climates when, with the door shut, they would be far 

 too close ; the bull's eye is then removed and a grating 

 replaces it, which ensures a current of air. 



He expects his whole outfit, uniform, books, instruments, 

 private stores, to cost 150. His grandfather sends him a 

 travelling thermometer. He had economically waited to buy 

 a new watch until his first expenses were settled ; now he was 

 forestalled by his father, who gave him ' a beautiful Chronometer 

 watch, ' 1 



It is the admiration of all the officers, so much so, that 

 I expect that it will be taken from me as soon as we get 

 to sea. Of books also I have a good store and some for 

 general reading, all Constable's ' Miscellany/ for instance. 

 The rest are chiefly Botanical with a few on Zoology and 

 Geology. . . . My messmates are all readers and careful of 



[ l This watch he used to the end of his life on his travels and at home, 

 wearing it in preference to the watch which Robert Brown left to him. It 

 has been presented to the Royal Geographical Society by Hyacinth, Lady 

 Hooker. 



