(JANUARY 29, 1839.)

These two years and three months were the most active ones which
I ever spent, though I was occasionally unwell, and so lost some
time. After going backwards and forwards several times between
Shrewsbury, Maer, Cambridge, and London, I settled in lodgings at
Cambridge (In Fitzwilliam Street.) on December 13th, where all my
collections were under the care of Henslow. I stayed here three
months, and got my minerals and rocks examined by the aid of
Professor Miller.

I began preparing my 'Journal of Travels,' which was not hard
work, as my MS. Journal had been written with care, and my chief
labour was making an abstract of my more interesting scientific
results. I sent also, at the request of Lyell, a short account
of my observations on the elevation of the coast of Chile to the
Geological Society. ('Geolog. Soc. Proc. ii. 1838, pages 446-
449.)

On March 7th, 1837, I took lodgings in Great Marlborough Street
in London, and remained there for nearly two years, until I was
married. During these two years I finished my Journal, read
several papers before the Geological Society, began preparing the
MS. for my 'Geological Observations,' and arranged for the
publication of the 'Zoology of the Voyage of the "Beagle".' In
July I opened my first note-book for facts in relation to the
Origin of Species, about which I had long reflected, and never
ceased working for the next twenty years.

During these two years I also went a little into society, and