THE VOYAGE. JET AT. 24. [1833. 



Megatherium has given you all some little interest in my 

 employments. These fragments are not, however, by any 

 means the most valuable of the geological relics. I trust 

 and believe that the time spent in this voyage, if thrown away 

 for all other respects, will produce its full worth in Natural 

 History ;. and it appears to me the doing what little we can 

 to increase the general stock of knowledge is as respectable 

 an object of life as one can in any likelihood pursue. It is 

 more the result of such reflections (as I have already said) 

 than much immediate pleasure which now makes me con- 

 tinue the voyage, together with the glorious prospect of the 

 future, when passing the Straits of Magellan, we have in 

 truth the world before us. Think of the Andes, the luxuriant 

 forest of Guayaquil, the islands of the South Sea, and New 

 South Wales. How many magnificent and characteristic 

 views, how many and curious tribes of men we shall see ! 

 What fine opportunities for geology and for studying the in- 

 finite host of living beings ! Is not this a prospect to keep 

 up the most flagging spirit ? If I was to throw it away, I 

 don't think I should ever rest quiet in my grave. I certainly 

 should be a ghost and haunt the British Museum. 



How famously the Ministers appear to be going on. I 

 always much enjoy political gossip and what you at home 

 think will, &c., &c., take place. I steadily read up the weekly 

 paper, but it is not sufficient to guide one's opinion ; and I 

 find it a very painful state not to be as obstinate as a pig in 

 politics. I have watched how steadily the general feeling, 

 as shown at elections, has been rising against Slavery. What 

 a proud thing for England if she is the first European nation 

 which utterly abolishes it ! I was told before leaving England 

 that after living in slave countries all my opinions would be 

 altered ; the only alteration I am aware of is forming a much 

 higher estimate of the negro character. It is impossible to 

 see a negro and not feel kindly towards him ; such cheerful, 

 open, honest expressions and such fine muscular bodies. I 

 never saw any of the diminutive Portuguese, with their mur- 

 derous countenances, without almost wishing for Brazil to 



