THE VOYAGE. 59 



up part of his own cabin to any young man who would 

 volunteer to go with him without pay as naturalist to 

 the Voyage of the Beagle. I have given, as I believe, 

 in my MS. Journal an account of all the circumstances 

 which then occurred ; I will here only say that I was 

 instantly eager to accept the offer, but my father 

 strongly objected, adding the words, fortunate for me, 

 "If you can find any man of common sense who 

 advises you to go I will give my consent." So I 

 wrote that evening and refused the offer. On the 

 next morning I went to Maer to be ready for Sep- 

 tember ist, and, whilst out shooting, my uncle* sent 

 for me, offering to drive me over to Shrewsbury and 

 talk with my father, as my uncle thought it would be 

 wise in me to accept the offer. My father always 

 maintained that he was one of the most sensible men 

 in the world, and he at once consented in the kindest 

 manner. I had been rather extravagant at Cam- 

 bridge, and to console my father, said, " that I 

 should be deuced clever to spend more than my 

 allowance whilst on board the Beagle ; " but he an- 

 swered with a smile, " But they tell me you are very 

 clever." 



Next day I started for Cambridge to see Henslow, 

 and thence to London to see Fitz-Roy, and all was 

 soon arranged. Afterwards, on becoming very inti- 

 mate with Fitz-Roy, I heard that I had run a very 

 narrow risk of being rejected, on account of the shape 

 of my nose ! He was an ardent disciple of Lavater, 

 and was convinced that he could judge of a man's 



* Josiah Wedgwood. 



