1831.] THE OFFER. 



The ship sails about the end of September. 

 Write immediately, and tell me what can be done. 

 Believe me, 



My dear Henslow, 



Most truly yours, 



GEORGE PEACOCK. 



.y. S. Henslow to C. Darwin. 



Cambridge, August 24, 1831. 



MY DEAR DARWIN, 



Before I enter upon the immediate business of this letter, 

 let us condole together upon the loss of our inestimable friend 

 poor Ramsay, of whose death you have undoubtedly heard 

 long before this. 



I will not now dwell upon this painful subject, as I shall 

 hope to see you shortly, fully expecting that you will eagerly 

 catch at the offer which is likely to be made you of a trip to 

 Tierra del Fuego, and home by the East Indies. I have been 

 asked by Peacock, who will read and forward this to you from 

 London, to recommend him a Naturalist as companion to 

 Captain Fitz-Roy, employed by Government to survey the 

 southern extremity of America. I have stated that I consider 

 you to be the best qualified person I know of who is likely to 

 undertake such a situation. I state this not in the supposi- 

 tion of your being a finished naturalist, but as amply qualified 

 for collecting, observing, and noting, anything worthy to be 

 noted in Natural History. Peacock has the appointment at 

 his disposal, and if he cannot find a man willing to take the 

 office, the opportunity will probably be lost. Captain Fitz- 

 Roy wants a man (I understand) more as a companion than 

 a mere collector, and would not take any one, however good 

 a naturalist, who was not recommended to him likewise as a 

 gentleman. Particulars of salary, &c., I know nothing. The 

 voyage is to last two years, and if you take plenty of books 

 with you, anything you please may be done. You will have 

 ample opportunities at command. In short, I suppose there 



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