1836.] HOME. 269 



C. Darwin to J. S. Henslow. 



Shrewsbury, Thursday, October 6 [1836]. 



MY DEAR HENSLOW, 



I am sure you will congratulate me on the delight of 

 once again being home. The Beagle arrived at Falmouth on 

 Sunday evening, and I reached Shrewsbury yesterday morn- 

 ing. I am exceedingly anxious to see you, and as it will be 

 necessary in four or five days to return to London to get my 

 goods and chattels out of the Beagle, it appears to me my best 

 plan to pass through Cambridge. I want your advice on 

 many points; indeed I am in the clouds, and neither know 

 what to do or where to go. My chief puzzle is about the geo- 

 logical specimens who will have the charity to help me in 

 describing their mineralogical nature? Will you be kind 

 enough to write to me one line by return of post \ saying 

 whether you are now at Cambridge ? I am doubtful till I 

 hear from Captain Fitz-Roy whether I shall not be obliged to 

 start before the answer can arrive, but pray try the chance. 

 My dear Henslow, I do long to see you ; you have been the 

 kindest friend to me that ever man possessed. I can write no 

 more, for I am giddy with joy and confusion. 

 Farewell for the present, 



Yours most truly obliged, 



CHARLES DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to R. Fitz-Roy. 



Shrewsbury, Thursday morning, October 6 [1836]. 

 MY DEAR FlTZ-ROY, 



I arrived here yesterday morning at breakfast-time, 

 and, thank God, found all my dear good sisters and father 

 quite well. My father appears more cheerful and very little 

 older than when I left. My sisters assure me I do not look 

 the least different, and I am able to return the compliment. 



