164 APPOINTMENT TO THE 'BEAGLE.' .ETAT. 22. 



interested me much. I did not think that I could have 

 venerated him more than I did ; but your book has even 

 exalted his character in my eyes. From turning over the 

 pages of the latter half, I should think your account would 

 be invaluable to any clergyman who wished to follow poor 

 dear Henslow's noble example. What an admirable man he 

 was." 



The geological work mentioned in the quotation from my 

 father's pocket-book was doubtless of importance as giving 

 him some practical experience, and perhaps of more impor- 

 tance in helping to give him some confidence in himself. In 

 July of the same year, 1831, he was "working like a tiger" 

 at Geology, and trying to make a map of Shropshire, but not 

 finding it " as easy as I expected." 



In writing to Hen slow about the same time, he gives some 

 account of his work : — 



" I should have written to you some time ago, only I was 

 determined to wait for the clinometer, and I am very glad to 

 say I think it will answer admirably. I put all the tables in 

 my bedroom at every conceivable angle and direction. I will 

 venture to say I have measured them as accurately as any 

 geologist going could do .... I have been working at so 

 many things that I have not got on much with geology. I 

 suspect the first expedition I take, clinometer and hammer in 

 hand, will send me back very little wiser and a good deal 

 more puzzled than when I started. As yet I have only in- 

 dulged in hypotheses, but they are such powerful ones that 

 I suppose, if they were put into action for but one day, the 

 world would come to an end." 



He was evidently most keen to get to work with Sedgwick, 

 for he wrote to Henslow : " I have not heard from Professor 

 Sedgwick, so I am afraid he will not pay the Severn forma- 

 tions a visit. I hope and trust you did your best to urge 

 him." 



My father has given in his Recollections some account of 

 this Tour. 



There too we read of the projected excursion to the Ca- 



