Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

1836. 3MR. USBORXe's RETURK — REFLECTIONS. 639 were suspended for a whole day, at Arica, between the land- forces and an attacking squadron, in order that Mr. Usbome might carry on his operations. Throughout the survey of the Peruvian coast, the cordial assistance of Mr. Wilson, Charge d'affaires at Lima, was found to be of paramount consequence. I would now speak of the steady support and unvarying help which I received from the officers of the Beagle: but where all did so much, and all contributed so materially to the gatherings of the voyage, it is unnecessary to particularise, farther than by saying that Mr. Stokes's services hold the first place in my own estimation. In this long voyage, rather exceeding that of Vancouver, fatal disease was unknown, except in the lamented case of the purser, and in that mentioned at Rio de Janeiro ; neither of which had the least reference to the particular service on which the Beagle was employed : and it is perhaps remarkable, that while the Beagle was in commission, between February 1829 and November 1836, no serious illness, brought on or contracted while on service, happened on board ; neither did any accident of consequence occur in the ship ; nor did any man ever fall overboard during all that time. The freedom from illness must be attributed, under Provi- dence, to active employment, good clothing, and wholesome food,* in healthy, though sometimes disagreeable climates and our immunity from accidentf during exposure to a variety of risks, especially in boats, I attribute, referring to visible causes, to the care, attention, and vigilance of the excellent officers whose able assistance was not valued by me more than their sincere friendship. * See Appendix, No. 48. t Excepting that mentioned in vol. i. p. 445.