158 CAMBRIDGE. .ETAT. iq-22. [1831. 



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. 



I am sure you will be sorry to hear poor old Whitley's 

 father is dead. In a worldly point of view it is of great con- 

 sequence to him, as it will prevent him going to the Bar for 

 some time. — (Be sure answer this :) What did you pay for the 

 iron hoop you had made in Shrewsbury } Because I do not 

 mean to pay the whole of the Cambridge man's bill. You 

 need not trouble yourself about the Phallus, as I have bought 

 up both species. I have heard men say that Henslow has 

 some curious religious opinions. I never perceived anything 

 of it, have you ? I am very glad to hear, after all your delays, 

 you have heard of a curacy where you may read all the com- 

 mandments without endangering your throat. I am also still 

 more glad to hear that your mother continues steadily to 

 improve. I do trust that you will have no further cause for 

 uneasiness. With every wish for your happiness, my dear 

 old Fox, 



Believe me yours most sincerely, 



Charles Darwin. 



C. Darwift to W. D. Fox. 



Cambridge, Sunday, January 23, 1831. 



My dear Fox, 



I do hope you will excuse my not writing before I took 

 my degree. I felt a quite inexplicable aversion to write 

 to anybody. But now I do most heartily congratulate you 

 upon passing your examination, and hope you find your 

 curacy comfortable. If it is my last shilling (I have not 

 many), I will come and pay you a visit. 



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 ; 



