l84 APPOINTMENT TO THE 'BEAGLE.' y^TAT. 22. [1831. 



succession. The prettiest were gas-pipes with small holes ; 

 they were almost painfully brilliant. I have written so much 

 about the Coronation, that I think you will have no occasion 

 to read the Morning Hei^ald, 



For about the first time in my life I find London very 

 pleasant ; hurry, bustle, and noise are all in unison with my 

 feelings. And I have plenty to do in spare moments. I work 

 at Astronomy, as I suppose it would astound a sailor if one 

 did not know how to find Latitude and Longitude. I am 

 now going to Captain Fitz-Roy, and will keep [this] letter 

 open till evening for anything that may occur. I will give 

 you one proof of Fitz-Roy being a good officer — all the offi- 

 cers are the same as before ; two-thirds of his crew and [the] 

 eight marines who went before all offered to come again, so 

 the service cannot be so very bad. The Admiralty have just 

 issued orders for a large stock of canister-meat and lemon- 

 juice, &c. &c. I have just returned from spending a long 

 day with Captain Fitz-Roy, driving about in his gig, and 

 shopping. This letter is too late for to-day's post. You 

 may consider it settled that I go. Yet there is room for 

 change if any untoward accident should happen ; this I can 

 see no reason to expect. I feel convinced nothing else will 

 alter my wish of going. I have begun to order things. I 

 have procured a case of good strong pistols and an excel- 

 lent rifle for ;^5o, there is a saving ; a good telescope, with 

 compass, ;^5, and these are nearly the only expensive instru- 

 ments I shall want. Captain Fitz-Roy has everything. I 

 never saw so (what I should call, he says not) extravagant a 

 man, as regards himself, but as economical towards me. How 

 he did order things ! His fire-arms will cost ;£"4oo at least. 

 I found the carpet bag when I arrived all right, and much 

 obliged. I do not think I shall take any arsenic ; shall send 

 partridges to Mr. Yarrell ; much obliged. Ask Edward to 

 bargain with Clemson to make for my gun — two spare ham- 

 mers or cocks, two main-springs, two sere-springs, four nipples 

 or plugs — I mean one for each barrel, except nipples, of which 

 there must be two for each, all of excellent quality, and set 



