divinity school. The real fact was that sportsmanship LITTLE 

 was already becoming distasteful to young Darwin, JOURNEYS 

 and his hunting expeditions were now largely carried 

 on with a botanist's drum and a geologist's hammer. 

 Q But to the practical Doctor these things were no bet- 

 ter than the gun it was idling, anyway. Natural His- 

 tory as a pastime was excellent, and sportsmanship 

 for exercise and recreation had its place, but the busi- 

 ness of life must not be neglected Charles should get 

 himself to a divinity school and quickly, too. 

 Things urged become repellant and Charles was 

 groping around for an excuse when a letter came from 

 Professor Henslow saying, among other things, that 

 the Government was about to send a ship around the 

 world on a scientific surveying tour, especially to map 

 the coast of Patagonia, & other parts of South Amer- 

 ica and Australia. A volunteer naturalist was wanted 

 board and passage free, but the volunteer was to 

 supply his own clothes and instruments. 

 The proposition gave Charles a great thrill: he gave a 

 gulp and a gasp and went in search of his father. The 

 father saw nothing in the plan beyond the fact that the 

 Government was going to get several years' work out 

 of some foolish young man, for nothing gadzooks ! 

 Charles insisted he wanted to go! He urged that on 

 this trip he would be to but very little expense. "You say 

 I have cost you much, "but the fellow who can spend 

 money on board ship must be very clever." 

 " But you are a very clever young man, they say," the 

 father replied. 



165 



