I853-] EDUCATION. 



385 



of the Cirripedia, of which creatures I am wonderfully tired. 

 I hate a Barnacle as no man ever did before, not even a sailor 

 in a slow-sailing ship. My first volume is out ; the only part 

 worth looking at is on the sexes of Ibla and Scalpellum. 

 I hope by next summer to have done with my tedious work. 

 Farewell, do come whenever you can possibly manage it. 



I cannot but hope that the carbuncle may possibly do you 

 good ; I have heard of all sorts of weaknesses disappearing 

 after a carbuncle. I suppose the pain is dreadful. I agree 

 most entirely, what a blessed discovery is chloroform. When 

 one thinks of one's children, it makes quite a little difference 

 in one's happiness. The other day I had five grinders (two 

 by the elevator) out at a sitting under this wonderful 

 substance, and felt hardly anything. 



My dear old friend, yours very affectionately, 



CHARLES DARWIN. 



C. Darwin to W. D. Fox. 



Down, January 2gth [1853]. 



MY DEAR FOX, Your last account some months ago was 

 so little satisfactory that I have often been thinking of you, 

 and should be really obliged if you would give me a few 

 lines, and tell me how your voice and chest are. I most 

 sincerely hope that your report will be good. . . . Our second 

 lad has a strong mechanical turn, and we think of making 

 him an engineer. I shall try and find out for him some 

 less classical school, perhaps Bruce Castle. I certainly should 

 like to see more diversity in education than there is in any 

 ordinary school no exercising of the observing or reason- 

 ing faculties, no general knowledge acquired I must think 

 it a wretched system. On the other hand, a boy who has 

 learnt to stick at Latin and conquer its difficulties, ought to 

 be able to stick at any labour. I should always be glad to 

 hear anything about schools or education from you. I am at 

 my old, never-ending subject, but trust I shall really go to 



