210 THE APPOINTMENT TO THE 'BEAGLE.' ^TAT. 22. [1831. 



crowns, anchors, and " \V. R.'s " were repeated in endless 

 succession. The prettiest were gas-pipes with small holes ; 

 they were almost painfully brilliant. I have written so 

 much about the Coronation, that I think you will have no 

 occasion to read the Morning Herald. 



For about the first time in my life I find London very 

 pleasant ; hurry, bustle, and noise are all in unison with my 

 feelings. And I have plenty to do in spare moments. I 

 work at Astronomy, as I suppose it would astound a sailor if 

 one did not know how to find Latitude and Longitude. I 

 am now going to Captain Fitz-Roy, and will keep [this] letter 

 open till evening for anything that may occur. I will give 

 you one proof of Fitz-Roy being a good officer all the officers 

 arc the same as before ; two-thirds of his crew and [the] eight 

 marines who went before all offered to come again, so the 

 service cannot be so very bad. The Admiralty have just 

 issued orders for a large stock of canister-meat and lemon- 

 juice, &c. &c. I have just returned from spending a long day 

 with Captain Fitz-Roy, driving about in his gig, and shopping. 

 This letter is too late for to-day's post. You may consider it 

 settled that I go. Yet there is room for change if any unto- 

 ward accident should happen ; this I can see no reason to 

 expect I feel convinced nothing else will alter my wish of 

 going. I have begun to order things. I have procured a 

 case of good strong pistols and an excellent rifle for .50, 

 there is a saving ; a good telescope, with compass, 5, and 

 these are nearly the only expensive instruments I shall want. 

 Captain Fitz-Roy has everything. I never saw so (what I 

 should call, he says not) extravagant a man, as regards him- 

 self, but as economical towards me. How he did order 

 things ! His fire-arms will cost .400 at least. I found the 

 carpet bag when I arrived all right, and much obliged. I do 

 not think I shall take any arsenic ; shall send partridges to 

 Mr. Yarrell ; much obliged. Ask Edward to bargain with 

 Clemson to make for my gun two spare hammers or cocks, 



