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356 DARWIN (Charles)

Early and interesting A. L. s., 4 pp. 4to, Valparaiso, 23 July, 1834, written in the Beagle to Charles Whitley, describing his experiences and asking for news at home "...I find in geology a never failing interest, as has been remarked it creates the same great ideas respecting this world, which Astronomy does for the Universe. We have seen much fine scenery, that of the Tropics in its glory and luxuriance excels even the language of Humboldt to describe. A Persian writer could alone do justice to it, and if he succeeded he would in England, be called the 'Grandfather of all liars'. But I have seen nothing which more completely astonished me, than the first sight of a Savage. It was a naked Figure his long hair blowing about, his face besmeared with paint. There is in their countenances an expression which I believe to those who have not seen it, must be inconceivably wild. Standing on a rock he uttered tones and made gesticulations than which, the crys of domestic animals are far more intelligible," etc.