My father has given in his Recollections some account of this Tour.
There too we read of the projected excursion to the Canaries, of which slight mention occurs in letters to Fox and Henslow.
In April 1831 he writes to Fox: "At present I talk, think, and dream of a scheme I have almost hatched of going to the Canary Islands. I have long had a wish of seeing tropical scenery and vegetation, and, according to Humboldt, Teneriffe is a very pretty specimen." And again in May: "As for my Canary scheme, it is rash of you to ask questions; my other friends most sincerely wish me there, I plague them so with talking about tropical scenery, etc. Eyton will go next summer, and I am learning Spanish."
Later on in the summer the scheme took more definite form, and the date seems to have been fixed for June, 1832. He got information in London about passage-money, and in July was working at Spanish and calling Fox "un grandisimo lebron," in proof of his knowledge of the language; which, however, he found "intensely stupid." But even then he seems to have had some doubts about his companions' zeal, for he writes to Henslow (July 27, 1831): "I hope you continue to fan your Canary ardour. I read and re-read Humboldt; do you do the same? I am sure nothing will prevent us seeing the Great Dragon Tree."
Geological work and Teneriffe dreams carried him through the summer, till on returning from Barmouth for the sacred 1st of September, he received the offer of appointment as Naturalist to the "Beagle".
The following extract from the pocket-book will be a help in reading the letters:—
"Returned to Shrewsbury at end of August. Refused offer of voyage.
"September.—Went to Maer, returned with Uncle Jos. to Shrewsbury, thence to Cambridge. London.
"11th.—Went with Captain Fitz-Roy in steamer to Plymouth to see the "Beagle".
"22nd.—Returned to Shrewsbury, passing through Cambridge.