^OTHEE INTERVIEWS 48 
Lubbock,^ and Mr. Forster,^ to recommend my being sent as 
Naturalist, but how can I go, when Capt. Ross would be obliged 
to take me, and at the same time think me unfit ? There 
therefore remain only two ways or situations under which 
I can go, either as Naturalist to the expedition or as Asst. 
Surgeon and Naturahst to the Erehus, a situation which 
Sir William Burnett promised me if I liked it. You can, I 
know, but have the same opinion as Mr. Children and Brown. 
The more I think of it, the more perplexed do I feel. That 
Capt. Ross did not intend to treat me thus two weeks ago I 
am sure, from his asking me to tell the quantity of preserves 
for animals required, and his great good nature to me now 
precludes me from attributing to him any other motive 
than that he is misguided, and that Dr. McCormick (who, 
he told me, had been preparing for such an Exped. for 
three years) has been palmed upon him by someone. Sup- 
posing I were to go under these circumstances, all my notes 
on Molluscs and sea animals will naturally revert, from the 
Admiralty, to the Zoologist, besides which he will have 
more time on shore than I can. The most painful part of 
my duty remains to be done, viz., going to Capt. Ross and 
respectfully declining his appointment and telling him that 
I am still trying for the appointment of Naturalist to the 
Expedition, w^hich all strongly advise me to do. Mr. Children 
and Brown have been most kind, the former especially ; 
I can never thank him too much ; I have invariably made 
a point of telling them everything without the smallest 
concealment, and have been glad to find how their opinions 
coincide with mine. On your account, after all the kindness, 
trouble, and expense you have put yourself to for my comfort 
and good, I feel this annoyance very deeply, but you may 
rest assured that I shall conduct myself well and prudently 
(doing nothing without the best advice) as far as Hes in me. 
1 shall deeply regret it, if I lose the chance of going with 
^ Sir John William Lubbock, Bart. (1803-65), banker by profession, was 
a distinguished mathematician and astronomer. He was treasurer and vice- 
president of the Royal Society, 1830-5 and 1838-47, and the first vice-chancellor 
of the London University (1837-42). His eldest son, Sir John Lubbock, after- 
wards Lord Avebury, was similarly distinguished in business, science, and 
politics. 
2 Edward Forster (1765-1849), botanist; vice-president of the Linnean 
Society, 1828, who used to snatch the early hours of the day for his study, mainly 
of British plants, before going to work in a city bank. His herbarium wa3 
presented to the British Museum. 
