1836. 3MR. USBORXe's RETURK — REFLECTIONS. 639 



were suspended for a whole day, at Arica, between the land- 

 forces and an attacking squadron, in order that Mr. Usbome 

 might carry on his operations. Throughout the survey of the 

 Peruvian coast, the cordial assistance of Mr. Wilson, Charge 

 d'affaires at Lima, was found to be of paramount consequence. 

 I would now speak of the steady support and unvarying 

 help which I received from the officers of the Beagle: but 

 where all did so much, and all contributed so materially to the 

 gatherings of the voyage, it is unnecessary to particularise, 

 farther than by saying that Mr. Stokes's services hold the 

 first place in my own estimation. 



In this long voyage, rather exceeding that of Vancouver, 

 fatal disease was unknown, except in the lamented case of 

 the purser, and in that mentioned at Rio de Janeiro ; neither 

 of which had the least reference to the particular service on 

 which the Beagle was employed : and it is perhaps remarkable, 

 that while the Beagle was in commission, between February 

 1829 and November 1836, no serious illness, brought on or 

 contracted while on service, happened on board ; neither did 

 any accident of consequence occur in the ship ; nor did any 

 man ever fall overboard during all that time. 



The freedom from illness must be attributed, under Provi- 

 dence, to active employment, good clothing, and wholesome 

 food,* in healthy, though sometimes disagreeable climates : 

 and our immunity from accidentf during exposure to a variety 

 of risks, especially in boats, I attribute, referring to visible 

 causes, to the care, attention, and vigilance of the excellent 

 officers whose able assistance was not valued by me more than 

 their sincere friendship. 



* See Appendix, No. 48. 



t Excepting that mentioned in vol. i. p. 445. 



