CHARLES DARWIN. 21 



So I wrote that evening and refused the offer. On the next morning I went to 

 Maer to be ready for September 1st. Whilst out shooting, my uncle (Josiah 

 Wedgwood) sent for me, offering to drive me over to Shrewsbury and talk with 

 my father, as my uncle thought it would he wise in mc to accept the offer. My 

 father always maintained that he (my imcle) was one of the most sensible men 

 in the world, and he at once consented in the kindest manner. I had been 

 rather extravagant at Cambridge, and, to console my father, said ' that I should 

 be deuced clever to spend more than my allowance whilst on board the 

 Beaxjle ; ' but he answered with a smile, ' But they tell me you are very 

 clever.' " * 



It would have been nothing short of a calamity if 

 Darwin had been prevented from going on this memorable 

 voyage of scientific discovery, and, even in a fox-hunting 

 book, one may be pardoned for recording with some degree 

 of satisfaction that the influence of Maer Hall, and the 

 intervention of a North Staffordshire worthy, helped to 

 brinsf about such valuable results in the world of science 

 and natural history. 



It is only right to mention that Mr. F. J. Harrison, 

 the present owner of Maer, is not only a good preserver 

 of foxes and a liberal supporter of the Hunt, but a keen 

 follower of the sport, so that Maer is still, as heretofore, 

 one of the strongholds of the Hunt, and never fails to 

 provide the right animal when hounds meet there. 



* See " Life and Letters of Charles Darwin," vol. i. p. 59. 



