who offered their services were thought qualified in a scientific
point of view. [Footnote: Oddly enough, Mr. Burke, who was
afterwards chosen, with many requisites of a high order, was
deficient in this, which, indeed, he never for a moment pretended
to possess.] You need not work yourself up to such a state of
excitement at the bare idea of my going, but should rather rejoice
that the opportunity presents itself. The actual danger is nothing,
and the positive advantages very great. Besides, my dear mother,
what avails your faith if you terrify yourself about such trifles?
Were we born, think you, to be locked up in comfortable rooms, and
never to incur the hazard of a mishap? If things were at the worst,
I trust I could meet death with as much resignation as others, even
if it came to-night. I am often disgusted at hearing young people I
know, declare that they are afraid of doing this or that, because
they MIGHT be killed. Were I in some of their shoes I should be
glad to hail the chance of departing this life fairly in the
execution of an honourable duty."

The following selections from his numerous letters at this time are
little more than extracts, and form but a small portion of the
whole. All speak his admiration of a great and beneficent Creator,
derived from the study of his works. He had a great distaste for
sectarianism, and for a too slavish devotion to forms and
conventionalities, whether in religious or social practice, fearing
lest these extremes might savour of untruthfulness or hypocrisy.

Magnetic Observatory, Melbourne, April 18th, 1860.

MY DEAR BESSY,

The mail was to have closed to-morrow, but the Emeu has met with an
accident which will delay it for another week, so that I hope to
treat you to a long letter. I was much disappointed at receiving
nothing from you this month. It would be a first-rate plan to do
what a friend of mine was recommending to me only this evening,
namely to commence an epistle at the beginning of each month, and
add a little daily, adopting as your motto the Latin proverb,
"Nulla dies sine linea," which means, No day without a line. You
might at least favour me with a few monthly. It would be as much
for your own benefit as for my pleasure. Pray don't send a poor
excuse again about waiting for an answer to a former letter.

I must now return to the subject of my last. I hope you have
carefully considered the remarks contained therein; and I wish to
draw your attent