240 THE VOYAGE. ^TAT. 23. [1832. 



but if you were to see the heap of letters on my table, you 

 would understand the reason. . . . 



I am glad to hear music flourishes so well in Cambridge ; 

 but it [is] as barbarous to talk to me of " celestial concerts " as 

 to a person in Arabia of cold water. In a voyage of this sort, 

 if one gains many new and great pleasures, on the other side 

 the loss is not inconsiderable. How should you like to be 

 suddenly debarred from seeing every person and place, which 

 you have ever known and loved, for five years ? I do assure 

 you I am occasionally " taken aback " by this reflection ; and 

 then for man or ship it is not so easy to right again. Re- 

 member me most sincerely to the remnant of most excellent 

 fellows whom I have the good luck to know in Cambridge 

 I mean Whitley and Watkins. Tell Lowe I am even beneath 

 his contempt. I can eat salt beef and musty biscuits for 

 dinner. See what a fall man may come to ! 



My direction for the next year and a half will be Monte 

 Video. 



God bless you, my very dear old Herbert. May you 

 always be happy and prosperous is my most cordial wish. 



Yours affectionately, 



CHAS. DARWIX. 



C. Darwin to F. Watkins. 



Monte Video, River Plata, 



August 1 8, 1832. 



MY DEAR WATKINS, . 



I do not feel very sure you will think a letter from 

 one so far distant will be worth having ; I write therefore on 

 the selfish principle of getting an answer. In the different 

 countries we visit the. entire newness and difference from 

 England only serves to make more keen the recollection of 

 its scenes and delights. In consequence the pleasure of 

 thinking of, and hearing from one's former friends, does indeed 

 become great Recollect this, and some long winter's evening 



