120 APPOINTMENT TO THE BEAGLE. [Ch. V. 



yet, but that, seriously, he thinks it will have much more 

 pleasure than pain for me. . . . 



" The want of room is decidedly the most serious objection ; 

 but Captain Fitz-Roy (probably owing to Wood's letter) seems 

 determined to make me [as] comfortable as he possibly can. I 

 like his manner of proceeding. He asked me at once, * Shall 

 you bear being told that I want the cabin to myself — when I 

 want to be alone ? If we treat each other this way, I hope we 

 shall suit ; if not, probably we should wish each other at the 

 devil.'" 



C. B. to Miss Susan Darwin. London [September 6, 1831]. 



My dear Susan — Again I am going to trouble you. I suspect, 

 if I keep on at this rate, you will sincerely wish me at Tierra del 

 Fuego, or any other Terra, but England. First, I will give my 

 commissions. Tell Nancy to make me some twelve instead of 

 eight shirts. Tell Edward to send me up in my carpet-bag 

 (he can slip the key in the bag tied to some string), my 

 slippers, a pair of lightish walking-shoes, my Spanish books, 

 my new microscope (about six inches long and three or four 

 deep), which must have cotton stuffed inside ; my geological 

 compass ; my father knows that ; a little book, if I have got it 

 in my bed room — Taxidermy. Ask my father if he thinks 

 there would be any objection to my taking arsenic for a little 

 time, as my hands are not quite well, and I have always 

 observed that if I once get them well, and change my manner 

 of living about the same time, they will generally remain well. 

 What is the dose ? Tell Edward my gun is dirty. What is 

 Erasmus's direction? Tell me if you think there is time to 

 write and to receive an answer before I start, as I should like 

 particularly to know what he thinks about it. I suppose you 

 do not know Sir J. Mackintosh's direction ? 



I write all this as if it was settled, but it is not more than 

 it was, excepting that from Captain Fitz-Roy wishing me so 

 much to go, and, from his kindness, I feel a predestination I 

 shall start. I spent a very pleasant evening with him yester- 

 day. He must be more than twenty-three years old ; he is of 

 a slight figure, and a dark but handsome edition of Mr. 

 Kynaston, and, according to my notions, pre-eminently good 

 manners. He is all for economy, excepting on one point — viz., 

 fire-arms. He recommends me strongly to get a case of pistols 

 like his, which cost £60 ! ! and never to go on shore anywhere 

 without loaded ones, and he is doubting about a rifle ; he says 

 I cannot appreciate the luxury of fresh meat here. Of course 



