THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE 



533 



stead of detailed observations. Hence arises, as I have found 

 to my cost, a constant tendency to fill up the wide gaps of 

 knowledge, by inaccurate and superficial hypotheses. 



But I have too deeply enjoyed the voyage, not to recom- 

 mend any naturalist, although he must not expect to be so 

 fortunate in his companions as I have been, to take all 

 chances, and to start, on travels by land if possible, if other- 

 wise, on a long voyage. He may feel assured, he will meet 

 with no difficulties or dangers, excepting in rare cases, nearly 

 so bad as he beforehand anticipates. In a moral point of 

 view, the effect ought to be, to teach him good-humoured 

 patience, freedom from selfishness, the habit of acting for 

 himself, and of making the best of every occurrence. In 

 short, he ought to partake of the characteristic qualities of 

 most sailors. Travelling ought also to teach him distrust; 

 but at the same time he will discover, how many truly kind- 

 hearted people there are, with whom he never before had, 

 or ever again will have any further communication, who 

 yet are ready to offer him the most disinterested assistance. 



