1846 PROSPECTS OF THE VOYAGE 29 



me, whose interest in the service is ahnost all to be made, this 

 is a matter of no small importance. 



Then again, in a surveying ship you can work. In an ordi- 

 nary frigate if a fellow has the talents of all the scientific men 

 from Archimedes downwards compressed into his own peculiar 

 skull they are all lost. Even if it were possible to study in a 

 midshipmen's berth, you have not room in your " chat " for 

 more than a dozen books. But in the Rattlesnake the whole 

 poop is to be converted into a large chart-room with bookshelves 

 and tables and plenty of light. There I may read, draw, or 

 microscopise at pleasure, and as to books, I have a carte blanche 

 from the Captain to take as many as I please, of which permis- 

 sion we shall avail ourself — rather — and besides all this, from 

 the peculiar way in which I obtained this appointment, I shall 

 have a much wider swing than assistant surgeons in general 

 get. I can see clearly that certain branches of the natural his- 

 tory work will fall into my hands if I manage properly through 

 Sir John Richardson, who has shown himself a very kind friend 

 all throughout, and also through Captain Stanley I have been 

 introduced to several eminent zoologists — to Owen and Gray 

 and Forbes of King's College. From all these men much is to be 

 learnt which becomes peculiarly my own, and can of course only 

 be used and applied by me. From Forbes especially I have 

 learned and shall learn much with respect to dredging opera- 

 tions (which bear on many of the most interesting points of 

 zoology). In consequence of this I may very likely be entrusted 

 with the carrying of them out, and all that is so much the more 

 towards my opportunities. Again, I have learnt the calotype pro- 

 cess for the express purpose of managing the calotype apparatus, 

 for which Captain Stanley has applied to the Government. 



And having once for all enumerated all these meaner pros- 

 pects of mere personal advancement, I must confess I do glory in 

 the prospect of being able to give myself up to my own favourite 

 pursuits without thereby neglecting the proper duties of life. 

 And then perhaps by the following of my favourite motto — 



Wie das Gestirn, 

 Ohne Hast, 

 Ohne Rast — 



something may be done, and some of Sister Lizzie's fond imagi- 

 nations turn out not altogether untrue. 



I perceive that I have nearly finished a dreadfully egotistical 

 letter, but I know you like to hear of my doings, so shall not 



