178 APPOINTMENT TO THE BEAGLE.' yETAT. 22. [1831 



C. Darwin to J. S. Henslow. 



London, Monday, [September 5, 1831]. 



MY DEAR SIR, 



Gloria in excelsis is the most moderate beginning I can 

 think of. Things are more prosperous than I should have 

 thought possible. Captain Fitz-Roy is everything that is 

 delightful. If I was to praise half so much as I feel in- 

 clined, you would say it was absurd, only once seeing him. I 

 think he really wishes to have me. He offers me to mess with 

 him, and he will take care I have such room as is possible. 

 But about the cases he says I-must limit myself ; but then he 

 thinks like a sailor about size. Captain Beaufort says I shall 

 be upon the Boards, and then it will only cost me like other 

 officers. Ship sails loth of October. Spends a week at 

 Madeira Islands ; and then Rio de Janeiro. They all think 

 most extremely probable, home by the Indian archipelago ; 

 but till that is decided, I will not be so. 



What has induced Captain Fitz-Roy to take a better 

 view of the case is, that Mr. Chester, who was going as a 

 friend, cannot go, so that I shall have his place in every re- 

 spect. 



Captain Fitz-Roy has [a] good stock of books, many of 

 which were in my list, and rifles, &c., so that the outfit will 

 be much less expensive than I supposed. 



The vessel will be out three years. I do not object so 

 that my father does not. On Wednesday I have another 

 interview with Captain Beaufort, and on Sunday most likely 

 go with Captain Fitz-Roy to Plymouth. So I hope you will 

 keep on thinking on the subject, and just keep memoranda 

 of what may strike you. I will call most probably on Mr. 

 Burchell and introduce myself. I am in lodgings at 17 Spring 

 Gardens. You cannot imagine anything more pleasant, kind, 

 and open than Captain Fitz-Roy's manners were to me. I 

 am sure it will be my fault if we do not suit. 



What changes I have had. Till one to-day I was building 



