XX] LONDON: VOYAGE TO SINGAPORE 309 



long rest in the ship. I cannot write now at any length — I 

 have too much to think about. We had a narrow escape in 

 the Channel. Many vessels were lost in a storm on the night 

 of September 29, but we escaped. The old 'Iron Duke* is 

 dead. The Crystal Palace is being pulled down, and is 

 being rebuilt on a larger and improved plan by a company. 

 Loddige's collection of plants has been bought entire to 

 stock it, and they think by heating it in the centre to get a 

 gradation of climates, so as to be able to have the plants of 

 different countries, tropical or temperate, in one undivided 

 building. This is Paxton's plan. 



" How I begin to envy you in that glorious country where 

 * the sun shines for ever unchangeably bright,' where farinha 

 abounds, and of bananas and plantains there is no lack ! 

 Fifty times since I left Para have I vowed, if I once reached 

 England, never to trust myself more on the ocean. But 

 good resolutions soon fade, and I am already only doubtful 

 whether the Andes or the Philippines are to be the scene of 

 my next wanderings. However, for six months I am a 

 fixture here in London, as I am determined to make up for 

 lost time by enjoying myself as much as possible for awhile. 

 I am fortunate in having about £200 insured by Mr. Stevens* 

 foresight, so I must be contented, though it is very hard to 

 have nothing to show of what I took so much pains to 

 procure. 



" I trust you are well and successful. Kind remembrances 

 to everybody, everywhere, and particularly to the respectable 

 Senhor Joao de Lima of Sao Joachim. 



Your very sincere friend, 



"Alfred R. Wallace." 



Some of the most alarming incidents, to a landsman, are 

 not mentioned either in this letter or in my published 

 " Narrative." The captain had given the only berths in the 

 cabin to Captain Turner and myself, he sleeping on a sofa in 

 fine weather, and on a mattress on the floor of the cabin when 

 rough. On the worst night of the storm I saw him, to my 

 surprise, bring down an axe and lay it beside him, and on 



