"3. Interesting and sympathetic treatment. The author at once puts his readers into harmony with him. He gives them enough of information to show how delightful the field is to which he invites them, and how much they might accomplish in it. There is a broad sketch of the subject which everybody can follow, and there is enough of detail to instruct and guide a beginner and start him on the right track.
"Of course, geology has made great strides since 1849, and the article, if written now, would need to take notice of other branches of inquiry, and to modify statements which are not now quite accurate; but most of the advice Mr. Darwin gives is as needful and valuable now as when it was given. It is curious to see with what unerring instinct he seems to have fastened on the principles that would stand the test of time."
In a letter to Lyell (1853) my father wrote, "I went up for a paper by the Arctic Dr. Sutherland, on ice action, read only in abstract, but I should think with much good matter. It was very pleasant to hear that it was written owing to the Admiralty Manual."
To give some idea of the retired life which now began for my father at Down, I have noted from his diary the short periods during which he was away from home between the autumn of 1842, when he came to Down, and the end of 1854.
1843 July.—Week at Maer and Shrewsbury.
October.—Twelve days at Shrewsbury.
1844 April.—Week at Maer and Shrewsbury.
July.—Twelve days at Shrewsbury.
1845 September 15.—Six weeks, "Shrewsbury, Lincolnshire, York,
the Dean of Manchester, Waterton, Chatsworth."
1846 February.—Eleven days at Shrewsbury.
July.—Ten days at Shrewsbury.
September.—Ten days at Southampton, etc., for the British
Association.
1847 February.—Twelve days at Shrewsbury.
June.—Ten days at Oxford, etc., for the British Association.
October.—Fortnight at Shrewsbury.
1848 May.—Fortnight at Shrewsbury.
July.—Week at Swanage.
October.—Fortnight at Shrewsbury.
November.—Eleven days at Shrewsbury.
1849 March to June.—Sixteen weeks at Malvern.
September.—Eleven days at Birmingham for the
British Association.
1850 June.—Week at Malvern.
August.—Week at Leith Hill, the house of a relative.
October.—Week at the house of another relative.
1851 March.—Week at Malvern.
April.—Nine days at Malvern.
July.—Twelve days in London.
1852 March.—Week at Rugby and Shrewsbury.
September.—Six days at the house of a relative.
1853 July.—Three weeks at Eastbourne.
August.—Five days at the military Camp at Chobham.
1854 March.—Five days at the house of a relative.
July.—Three days at the house of a relative.
October.—Six days at the house of a relative.
It will be seen that he was absent from home sixty weeks in twelve years. But it must be remembered that much of the remaining time spent at Down was lost through ill-health.]
LETTERS.
CHARLES DARWIN TO R. FITZ-ROY. Down [March 31st, 1843].
Dear Fitz-Roy,
I read yesterday with surprise and the greatest interest, your appointment as Governor of New Zealand. I do not know whether to congratulate you on it, but I am sure I may the Colony, on possessing your zeal and energy. I am most anxious to know whether the report is true, for I cannot bear the thoughts of your leaving the country without seeing you once again; the past is often in my memory, and I feel that I owe to you much bygone enjoyment, and the whole destiny of my life, which (had my health been stronger) would have been one full of satisfaction to me. During the last three months I have never once gone up to London without intending to call in the hopes of seeing Mrs. Fitz-Roy and yourself; but I find, most unfortunately for myself, that the little excitement of breaking out of my most quiet routine so generally knocks me up, that I am able to do scarcely anything when in London, and I have not even been able to attend one evening meeting of the Geological Society. Otherwise, I am very well, as are, thank God, my wife and two children. The extreme retirement of this place suits us all very well, and we enjoy our country life much. But I am writing trifles about myself, when your mind and time must be fully occupied. My object in writing is to beg of you or Mrs. Fitz-Roy to have the kindness to send me one line to say whether it is true, and whether you sail soon. I shall come up next week for one or two days; could you see me for even five minutes, if I called early on Thursday morning, viz. at nine or ten o'clock, or at whatever hour (if you keep early ship hours) you finish your breakfast. Pray remember me very kindly to Mrs. Fitz-Roy, who I trust is able to look at her long voyage with boldness.