358 CHARLES EGBERT DARWIN. 



tain Fitz-Roy, was commissioned by government to 

 survey Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, the shores of 

 Chili, Peru, and some islands in the Pacific, " and 

 to carry a chain of chronometrical measurements 

 round the world." 



Professor Henslow knew the captain, and recom- 

 mended his young friend for the position. Darwin 

 had read Humboldt's travels eagerly, and was de- 

 lighted with the prospect of a journey like this. 



Dr. Darwin was opposed at first, but finally 

 said, " If you can find any man of common sense 

 who advises you to go, I will give my consent." 

 Young Darwin at once visited his uncle, Josiah 

 Wedgwood, at Maer, who approved of the jour- 

 ney, and soon convinced Dr. Darwin of the wis- 

 dom of it. 



The vessel sailed December 27, 1831. Though for 

 a young man of an extremely affectionate nature 

 the separation from family was painful, yet it Avas 

 a glad day for Darwin. He had looked forward 

 eagerly to it, saying, " My second life will then 

 commence, and it shall be as a birthday for the 

 rest of my life," and so it proved. He said, years 

 afterward, " The voyage of the Beagle has been by 

 far the most important event in my life, and has 

 determined my whole career." 



These years were busy, earnest ones, devoted to 

 constant labor. To his father he wrote from Bahia, 

 or San Salvador, the following spring : " !NY> person 

 could imagine anything so beautiful as the ancient 

 town of Bahia ; it is fairly embosomed in a luxu- 



