182 CAMBRIDGE. /ETAT. 19-22. [1830. 



working from morning to night in catching fish or beetles. 

 This is literally the first idle day I have had to myself; for 

 on the rainy days I go fishing, on the good ones entomolo- 

 gising. You may recollect that for the fortnight previous 

 to all this, you told me not to write, so that I hope I have 

 made out some sort of defence for not having sooner answered 

 your two long and very agreeable letters."] 



C. Darwin to W. D. Fox. 



[Cambridge, November 5, 1830.] 

 MY DEAR FOX, 



I have so little time at present, and am so disgusted 

 by reading that I have not the heart to write to anybody. I 

 have only written once home since I came up. This must 

 excuse me for not having answered your three letters, for 

 which I am really very much obliged. . . . 



I have not stuck an insect this term, and scarcely opened 

 a case. If I had time I would have sent you the insects which 

 I have so long promised ; but really I have not spirits or time 

 to do anything. Reading makes me quite desperate ; the 

 plague of getting up all my subjects is next thing to intolerable. 

 Henslow is my tutor, and a most admirable one he makes ; 

 the hour with him is the pleasantest in the whole day. I think 

 he is quite the most perfect man I ever met with. I have been 

 to some very pleasant parties there this term. His good- 

 nature is unbounded. 



I am sure you will be sorry to hear poor old Whitley's 

 father is dead. In a worldly point of view it is of great 

 consequence to him, as it will prevent him going to the Bar 

 for some time. (Be sure answer this :) What did you pay 

 for the iron hoop you had made in Shrewsbury ? Because I 

 do not mean to pay the whole of the Cambridge man's bill. 

 You need not trouble yourself about the Phallus, as I have 

 bought up both species. I have heard men say that Henslow 



