208 THE APPOINTMENT TO THE 'BEAGLE.' JETAT. 22. [1831. 



too deep a fish for me to make him out. The only thing that 

 now prevents me finally making up my mind, is the want of 

 certainty about the South Sea Islands ; although morally I 

 have no doubt we should go there whether or no it is put in 

 the instructions. Captain Fitz-Roy says I do good by plaguing 

 Captain Beaufort, it stirs him up with a long pole. Captain 

 Fitz-Roy says he is sure he has interest enough (particularly 

 if this Administration is not everlasting I shall soon turn 

 Tory !), anyhow, even when out, to get the ship ordered home 

 by whatever track he likes. From what Wood says, I pre- 

 sume the Dukes of Grafton and Richmond interest themselves 

 about him. By the way, Wood has been of the greatest use 

 to me ; and I am sure his personal introduction of me inclined 

 Captain Fitz-Roy to have me. 



To explain things from the very beginning : Captain Fitz- 

 Roy first wished to have a Naturalist, and then he seems to have 

 taken a sudden horror of the chances of having somebody he 

 should not like on board the vessel. He confesses his letter 

 to Cambridge was to throw cold water on the scheme. I don't 

 think we shall quarrel about politics, although Wood (as 

 might be expected from a Londonderry) solemnly warned 

 Fitz-Roy that I was a Whig. Captain Fitz-Roy was before 

 Uncle Jos., he said, "now your friends will tell you a sea- 

 captain is the greatest brute on the face of the creation. I do 

 not know how to help you in this case, except by hoping you 

 will give me a trial." How one does change ! I actually now 

 wish the voyage was longer before we touch land. I feel 

 my blood run cold at the quantity I have to do. Everybody 

 seems-ready to assist me. The Zoological want to make me 

 a corresponding member. All this I can construe without 

 crossing the Equator. But one friend is quite invaluable, viz. 

 a Mr. Yarrell, a stationer, and excellent naturalist* He goes 



* William Yarrell, well known for born in 1784. He inherited from 

 his 'History of British Birds' and his father a newsagent's business, 

 4 History of British Fishes,' was to which he steadily adhered up to 



