OFFICIAL ATTITUDE TOWAEDS SCIENCE 45 
talked a great deal and, without exaggerating, much non- 
sense, confusing the genera of different localities in an 
extraordinary manner. None of them seemed cordial to 
me in the least degree. On leaving the room, no one even 
wished me a pleasant or successful voyage, except Mr. 
Kobertson,^ the Secretary, who has always been very kind 
to me whenever I have occasion to attend at the K.S. 
rooms. 
A few more extracts : 
The Gunroom officers are about to petition Boss that 
I may mess with them ; it is extremely kind of them and 
chiefly McCormick's doing, but I hope Eoss will refuse, as 
I cannot, if they offer, and it will put me to an additional 
expense of no mean importance. 
H.M.S. Erebus, Chatham, July 28, 1839. 
Mr. McCormick returned last week from Devonshire, 
and finds that the Government are very loth to make such 
large grants for the Natural History department, and Sir 
Wm. Parker ^ says he does not see what Nat. Hist, has 
to do with the Expedition at all, which has annoyed 
Capt. Eoss exceedingly. Anything that they won't 
supply my Surgeon will make up from his own pocket ; 
he is very zealous indeed in the cause and offers me every 
encouragement. ... In the way of medical duty I have 
very little to do as far as regards the Erebus, but the men 
of the Terror are so much inferior in constitution and morals 
that there are 5-1 of them ill, to what there are of our men. 
There are besides a whole swarm of women and children 
on the lower deck of the hulk, who are a perpetual 
annoyance. 
Sir WilHam paid him a visit at Chatham ; and though 
warmly welcomed by such of his future companions as were 
there, writes on his return home (August 27, 1839) : 
I could have wished you had some zealous Natural 
1 Probably Archibald Eobertson (1789-1864). Originally a naval surgeon, 
after 1818 a successful practitioner in Northampton. He wrote on medical 
subjects, and was elected F.R.S. in 1836. 
2 Sir William Parker (1781-1866) was the famous admiral who was at 
the Admiralty under Lord Auckland, 1835-41. 
