i834.] CAPTAIN FITZ-ROY. 229 



grief on board the Beagle about the Captain's decision was 

 universal and deeply fell ; one great source of his annoyment 

 was the feeling it impossible to fulfil the whole instruc- 

 tions; from his state of mind it never occurred to him that 

 the very instructions ordered him to do as much of the 

 West coast as he has time fo}% and then proceed across the 

 Pacific. 



Wickham (very disinterestedly giving up his own promo- 

 tion) urged this most strongly, stated that when he took the com- 

 mand nothing should induce him to go to Tierra del Fuego 

 again ; and then asked the Captain what would be gained by 

 his resignation ? why not do the more useful part, and return 

 as commanded by the Pacific. The Captain at last, to 

 every one's joy, consented, and the resignation was with- 

 drawn. 



Hurrah ! hurrah ! it is fixed the Beagle shall not go one 

 mile south of Cape Tres Montes (about 200 miles south of 

 Chiloe), and from that point to Valparaiso will be finished in 

 about five months. We shall examine the Chonos Archipelago, 

 entirely unknown, and the curious inland sea behind Chiloe. 

 For me it is glorious. Cape Tres Montes is the most southern 

 point where there is much geological interest, as there the 

 modern beds end. The Captain then talks of crossing the 

 Pacific ; but I think we shall persuade him to finish the Coast 

 of Peru, where the climate is delightful, the country hideously 

 sterile, but abounding with the highest interest to a geologist. 

 For the first time since leaving England I now see a clear and 

 not so distant prospect of returning to you all : crossing 

 the Pacific, and from Sydney home, will not take much 

 time. 



As soon as the Captain invalided I at once determined to 

 leave the Beagle^ but it was quite absurd what a revolution in 

 five minutes was effected in all my feelings. I have long been 

 grieved and most sorry at the interminable length of the 

 voyage (although I never would have quitted it) ; but the 

 minute it was all over, I could not make up my mind to return. 

 I could not give up all the geological castles in the air which 



