242 THE VOYAGE. ^iTAT. 24, [1833. 



and I hope there will be no more. We sail in the course of a 

 day or two to survey the coast of Patagonia ; as it is entirely 

 unknown, I expect a good deal of interest But already do 

 I perceive the grievous difference between sailing on these 

 seas and the Equinoctial ocean. In the " Ladies' Gulf," as the 

 Spaniards call it, it is so luxurious to sit on deck and enjoy 

 the coolness of the night, and admire the new constellations 

 of the South. ... I wonder when we shall ever meet again ; 

 but be it when it may, few things will give me greater pleasure 

 than to see you again, and talk over the long time we have 

 passed together. 



If you were to meet me at present I certainly should be 

 looked at like a wild beast, a great grizzly beard and flushing 

 jacket would disfigure an angel. Believe me, my dear Wat- 

 kins, with the warmest feelings of friendship, 



Ever yours, 



CHARLES DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to J. S. Hensloiu. 



April n, 1833. 



MY DEAR HENSLOW, 



We are now running up from the Falkland Islands to 

 the Rio Negro (or Colorado). The Beagle will proceed to 

 Monte Video ; but if it can be managed I intend staying at the 

 former place. It is now some months since we have been at 

 a civilised port ; nearly all this time has been spent in the 

 most southern part of Tierra del Fuego. It is a detestable 

 place ; gales succeed gales with such short intervals that it is 

 difficult to do anything. We were twenty-three days off 

 Cape Horn, and could by no means get to the westward. 

 The last and final gale before we gave up the attempt was 

 unusually severe. A sea stove one of the boats, and there 

 was so much water on the decks that every place was afloat ; 

 nearly all the paper for drying plants is spoiled, and half of 

 this curious collection. 



