256 



MY LIFE 



[Chap. 



In a letter dated April 11, 1846, there occur the following 

 remarks on two books about which there has been little 

 difference of opinion, and whose authors I had at that time 

 no expectation of ever calling my friends. " I was much 

 pleased to find that you so well appreciated Lyell. I first 

 read Darwin's * Journal ' three or four years ago, and have 

 lately re-read it. As the Journal of a scientific traveller, it 

 is second only to Humboldt's * Personal Narrative' — as a 

 work of general interest, perhaps superior to it. He is an 

 ardent admirer and most able supporter of Mr. Lyell's views. 

 His style of writing I very much admire, so free from all 

 labour, affectation, or egotism, and yet so full of interest and 

 original thought. ... I quite envy you, who have friends 

 near you attached to the same pursuits, I know not a single 

 person in this little town who studies any one branch of 

 natural history, so that I am quite alone in this respect." 

 My reference to Darwin's " Journal " and to Humboldt's 

 " Personal Narrative " indicate, I believe, the two works to 

 whose inspiration I owe my determination to visit the tropics 

 as a collector. 



In September, 1847, sister returned home from Alabama, 

 and from that time till I left for Para, in the following year, 

 we lived together at Llantwit Cottage. To commemorate 

 her return she invited my brother and me to go to Paris for a 

 week, partly induced by the fact that everywhere in America 

 she was asked about it, while we were very glad to have her 

 as an interpreter. The last letter to Bates before our South 

 American voyage is occupied chiefly with an account of this 

 visit, a comparison of Paris with London, and especially an 

 account of the museums at the Jardin des Plantes as compared 

 with the British Museum. Towards the end of this long letter 

 the following passages are the only ones that relate to the 

 development of my views. After referring to a day spent in 

 the insect-room at the British Museum on my way home, and 

 the overwhelming numbers of the beetles and butterflies I was 

 able to look over, I add : " I begin to feel rather dissatisfied 

 with a mere local collection ; little is to be learnt by it. I 

 should like to take some one family to study thoroughly, 



