1'j2 APPOINTMENT TO THE ' BEAGLE.' ^TAT. 22. [1831. 



[Here follows the list of objections which are referred to 

 in the following letter : — 



(i.) Disreputable to my character as a Clergyman here- 

 after, 



(2.) A wild scheme. 



(3.) That they must have offered to many others before 

 me the place of Naturalist. 



(4.) And from its not being accepted there must be some 

 serious objection to the vessel or expedition. 



(5.) That I should never settle down to a steady life here- 

 after. 



(6.) That my accommodations would be most uncomfort- 

 able. 



(7.) That you \i.e. Dr. Darwin] should consider it as again 

 changing my profession. 



(8.) That it would be a useless undertaking.] 



Josiah Wedgwood to R. W. Darwin. 



Maer, August 31, 1831. 



[Read this last.]* 



My dear Doctor, 



I feel the responsibility of your application to me on the 

 offer that has been made to Charles as being weighty, but as 

 you have desired Charles to consult me, I cannot refuse to 

 give the result of such consideration as I have been able to 

 [give ?] it. 



Charles has put down what he conceives to be your prin- 

 cipal objections, and I think the best course I can take will 

 be to state what occurs to me upon each of them. 



1. I should not think that it would be in any degree dfs- 

 reputable to his character as a Clergyman. I should on the 

 contrary think the offer honourable to him ; and the pursuit of 

 Natural History, though certainly not professional, is very 

 suitable to a clergyman. 



2. I hardly know how to meet this objection, but he would 



* In C. Darwin's writing. 



