1831.] CAPTAIN FITZ-ROY. 1 77 



to England, so many vessels sail that way, and that during bad 

 weather (probably two months), if I like I shall be left in some 

 healthy, safe and nice country ; that I shall always have assist- 

 ance ; that he has many books, all instruments, guns, at my 

 service ; that the fewer and cheaper clothes I take the better. 

 The manner of proceeding will just suit me. They anchor the 

 ship, and then remain for a fortnight at a place. I have made 

 Captain Beaufort perfectly understand me. He says if I start 

 and do not go round the world, I shall have good reason to 

 think myself deceived. I am to call the day after to-morrow, 

 and, if possible, to receive more certain instructions. 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." 



We stop a week at [the] Madeira Islands, and shall see 

 most of [the] big cities in South America. Captain Beaufort 

 is drawing up the track through the South Sea. I am writ- 

 ing in [a] great hurry ; I do not know whether you take inter- 

 est enough to excuse treble postage. I hope I am judging 

 reasonably, and not through prejudice, about Captain Fitz- 

 Roy ; if so, I am sure we shall suit. I dine with him to-day. 

 I could write [a] great deal more if I thought you liked it, 

 and I had at present time. There is indeed a tide in the 

 affairs of man, and I have experienced it, and I had entirely 

 given it up till one to-day. 



Love to my father. Dearest Susan, good-bye. 



Ch. Darwin. 



