1855 THE COAST SURVEY 181 



and an unprofitable account it is, for everything but 

 one's exchequer. 



So far as knowledge goes it is mere prodigality 

 spending one's capital and adding nothing, for I find 

 the physical exertion of lecturing quite unfits me for 

 much else. Fancy how last Friday was spent. I went 

 to Jermyn Street in the morning with the intention of 

 preparing for my afternoon's lecture. People came 

 talking to me up to within a quarter of an hour of the 

 time, so I had to make a dash without preparation. 

 Then I had to go home to prepare for a second lecture in 

 the evening, and after that I went to a soire"e, and got 

 home about one o'clock in the morning. 



I go on telling myself this won't do, but to no purpose. 



You will be glad to hear that my affairs here are 

 finally settled, and I am regularly appointed an officer 

 of the survey with the commission to work out the 

 natural history of the coast. 



Edinburgh has been tempting me again, and in fact 

 I believe I was within an ace of going there, but the 

 Government definitely offering me this position, I was 

 too glad to stop where I am. 



I can make six hundred a year here, and that being 

 the case, I conceive I have a right to consult my own 

 inclinations and the interests of my scientific reputation. 

 The coast survey puts in my hands the finest opportunities 

 that ever a man had, and it is a pity if I do not make 

 myself something better than a Caledonian pedagogue. 



The great first scheme I have in connection with my 

 new post is to work out the Marine Natural History of 

 Britain, and to have every species of sea beast properly 

 figured and described in the reports which I mean from 

 time to time to issue. I can get all the engravings and 

 all the printing I want done, but of course I am not so 

 absurd as to suppose I can work out all these things 

 myself. Therefore my notion is to seek in all highways 

 and byways for fellow -labourers. Busk will, I hope, 



