112 CAMBRIDGE. [Oh. V. 



just heard the joyful news. I shall not know for a week 

 which class I am in. The whole examination is carried on in 

 a different system. It has one grand advantage — being over 

 in one day. They are rather strict, and ask a wonderful 

 number of questions. 



And now I want to know something about your plans ; of 

 course you intend coming up here : what fun we will have 

 together ; what beetles we will catch ; it will do my heart 

 good to go once more together to some of our old haunts. I 

 have two very promising pupils in Entomology, and we will 

 make regular campaigns into the Fens. Heaven protect the 

 beetles and Mr. Jenyns, for we won't leave him a pair in tho 

 whole country. My new Cabinet is come down, and a gay 

 little affair it is." 



In August he was diligently amusing himself in North 

 Wales, finding no time to write to Fox, because : — 



" This is literally the first idle day I have had to myself ; 

 for on the rainy days I go fishing, on the good ones entomolo- 

 gising." 



November found him preparing for his degree, of which 

 process he writes dolefully : — 



" I have so little time at present, and am so disgusted by 

 reading, that I have not the heart to write to anybody. I have 

 only written once home since I came up. This must excuse 

 me for not having answered your three letters, for which I am 

 really very much obliged. . . . 



" I have not stuck an insect this term, and scarcely opened 

 a case. If I had time I would have sent you the insects 

 which I have so long promised ; but really I have not spirits 

 or time to do anything. Heading makes me quite desperate ; 

 the plague of getting up all my subjects is next thing to 

 intolerable. Henslow is my tutor, and a most admirable one 

 he makes ; the hour with him is the pleasantest in the whole 

 day. I think he is quite the most perfect man I ever met 

 with. I have been to some very pleasant parties there this 

 term. His good-nature is unbounded." 



The new year brought relief, and on January 23, 1831, he 

 wrote to tell Fox that he was through his examination. 



"I do not know why the degree should make one so 

 miserable, both before and afterwards. I recollect you were 

 sufficiently wretched before, and I can assure [you], I am now ; 

 and what makes it the more ridiculous is, I know not what 

 about. I believe it is a beautiful provision of nature to make one 

 regret the less leaving so pleasant a place as Cambridge ; and 

 amongst all its pleasures — I say it for once and for all — nono 



