68 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 



nearly two years, until I was married. During these 

 two years I finished my Journal, read several papers 

 before the Geological Society, began preparing the 

 MS. for my ' Geological Observations/ and arranged 

 for the publication of the ' Zoology of the Voyage of 

 the Beagle' In July I opened my first note-book for 

 facts in relation to the Origin of Species, about which 

 I had long reflected, and never ceased working for the 

 next twenty years. 



During these two years I also went a little into 

 society, and acted as one of the honorary secretaries 

 of the Geological Society. I saw a great deal of Lyell. 

 One of his chief characteristics was his sympathy 

 with the work of others, and I was as much aston- 

 ished as delighted at the interest which he showed 

 when, on my return to England, I explained to him 

 my views on coral reefs. This encouraged me greatly, 

 and his advice and example had much influence on me. 

 During this time I saw also a good deal of Robert 

 Brown ; I used often to call and sit with him during 

 his breakfast on Sunday mornings, and he poured 

 forth a rich treasure of curious observations and acute 

 remarks, but they almost always related to minute 

 points, and he never with me discussed large or 

 general questions in science. 



During these two years I took several short excur- 

 sions as a relaxation, and one longer one to the 

 Parallel Roads of Glen Roy, an account of which was 

 published in the ' Philosophical Transactions.'* This 

 paper was a great failure, and I am ashamed of it. 

 * 1839, pp. 39-82. 



