I843.J CAPTAIN FITZ-ROY. 299 



1848, May. — Fortnight at Shrewsbury. 

 „ /u/y. — Week at Swanage. 



„ October. — Fortnight at Shrewsbury. 



„ November. — Eleven days at Shrewsbury. 



1849, Ma7'ch to June. — Sixteen weeks at Malvern. 



„ September. — Eleven days at Birmingham for the 

 British Association. 



1850, June. — Week at Malvern. 



„ August. — Week at Leith Hill, the house of a relative. 

 „ October. — Week at the house of another relative. 



1851, March. — Week at Malvern. 



„ April. — Nine days at Malvern. 

 „ July. — Twelve days in London. 



1852, March. — Week at Rugby and Shrewsbury. 



„ September. — Six days at the house of a relative. 



1853, July. — Three weeks at Eastbourne. 



„ August. — Five days at the military Camp at Chob- 

 ham. 



1854, March. — Five days at the house of a relative. 

 „ July. — Three days at the house of a relative. 

 „ October. — Six days at the house of a relative. 



It will be seen that he was absent from home sixty weeks 

 in twelve years. But it must be remembered that much of 

 the remaining time spent at Down was lost through ill- 

 health.] 



Letters. 



C. Darwin to R. Fitz-Roy. 



Down [March 31st, 1843], 



Dear Fitz-Roy, — I read yesterday with surprise and the 

 greatest interest, your appointment as Governor of New Zea- 

 land. I do not know whether to congratulate you on it, but 

 I am sure I may the Colony, on possessing your zeal and 

 energy. I am most anxious to know whether the report is 

 true, for I cannot bear the thoughts of your leaving the 

 country without seeing you once again ; the past is often in 



