I833-] HOME LETTERS. 245 



200 per annum ; so that, it being hopeless (from time) to 

 write for permission, I have come to the conclusion that you 

 would allow me this expense. But I have not yet resolved 

 to ask the Captain, and the chances are even that he would 

 not be willing to have an additional man in the ship. 

 I have mentioned this because for a long time I have been 

 thinking about it. 



June. I have just received a bundle more letters. I do 

 not know how to thank you all sufficiently. One from 

 Catherine, Feb. 8th, another from Susan, March 3rd, together 

 with notes from Caroline and from my father ; give my best 

 love to my father. I almost cried for pleasure at receiving 

 it ; it was very kind thinking of writing to me. My letters 

 are both few, short, and stupid in return for all yours ; but 

 I always ease my conscience by considering the Journal 

 as a long letter. If I can manage it, I will, before doubling 

 the Horn, send the rest. I am quite delighted to find the 

 hide of the Megatherium has given you all some little 

 interest in my employments. These fragments are not, how- 

 ever, by any means the most valuable of the geological relics. 

 I trust and believe that the time spent in this voyage, if 

 thrown away for all other respects, will produce its full worth 

 in Natural History ; and it appears to me the doing what 

 little we can to increase the general stock of knowledge 

 is as respectable an object of life as one can in any likelihood 

 pursue. It is more the result of such reflections (as I have 

 already said) than much immediate pleasure which now 

 makes me continue the voyage, together with the glorious 

 prospect of the future, when passing the Straits of Magellan, 

 we have in truth the world before us. Think of the Andes, 

 the luxuriant forest of Guayaquil, the islands of the South 

 Sea, and New South Wales. How many magnificent and 

 characteristic views, how many and curious tribes of men we 

 shall see ! What fine opportunities for geology and for studying 

 the infinite host of living beings ! Is not this a prospect to 



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