28 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. [Ch. II. 



seen ; and this was good practice. My Journal served also, in 

 part, as letters to my home, and portions were sent to England 

 whenever there was an opportunity. 



The above various special studies were, however, of no 

 importance compared with the habit of energetic industry and 

 of concentrated attention to whatever I was engaged in, which 

 I then acquired. Everything about which I thought or read 

 was made to bear directly on what I had seen or was likely to 

 see; and this habit of mind was continued during the five 

 years of the voyage. I feel sure that it was this train- 

 ing which has enabled me to do whatever I have done in 

 science. 



Looking backwards, I can now perceive how my love for 

 science gradually preponderated over every other taste. 

 During the first two years my old passion for shooting 

 survived in nearly full force, and I shot myself all the birds 

 and animals for my collection ; but gradually I gave up my 

 gun more and more, and finally altogether, to my servant, 

 as shooting interfered with my work, more especially with 

 making out the geological structure of a country. I discovered, 

 I though unconsciously and insensibly, that the pleasure of 

 i observing and reasoning was a much higher one than that 

 of skill and sport. That my mind became developed through 

 my pursuits during the voyage is rendered probable by a 

 remark made by my father, who was the most acute observer 

 whom I ever saw, of a sceptical disposition, and far from 

 being a believer in phrenology ; for on first seeing me after the 

 voyage, he turned round to my sisters, and exclaimed, " Why, 

 the shape of his head is quite altered." 



To return to the voyage. On September 11th (1831), I 

 paid a flying visit with Fitz-Roy to the Beagle at Plymouth. 

 Thence to Shrewsbury to wish my father and sisters a long 

 farewell. On October 24th I took up my residence at 

 Plymouth, and remained there until December 27th, when 

 the Beagle finally left the shores of England for her circum- 

 navigation of the world. We made two earlier attempts to 

 sail, but were driven back each time by heavy gales. These 

 two months at Plymouth were the most miserable which 

 I ever spent, though I exerted myself in various ways. I was 

 out of spirits at the thought of leaving all my family and 

 friends for so long a time, and the weather seemed to me 

 inexpressibly gloomy. I was also troubled with palpitation 

 and pain about the heart, and like many a young ignorant 

 man, especially one with a smattering of medical knowledge, 

 was convinced that I had heart disease. I did not consult any 



