The Secret of Harmonious Living

Encouraging the Young Charles Darwin (1809-1882) having proved a mediocre student during his school days, was once scolded by his father as being "useless and only interested in hunting and catching mice with the help of dogs." When his schooling was completed, his father had him admitted to a medical college, but there his performance was equally lacklustre and he failed to complete the course. He then decided to become a priest and joined Cambridge University to study theology. But even there he met with failure. However, all was not lost, for during his stay at Cambridge, he developed the interest in natural history which was to bring him world renown. This topic was not included in the degree curriculum; it was only his keen personal interest which spurred him on to making a study of it. This, along with his interest in geology, led him in turn to J.S. Henslow, a man of great learning and wide-ranging interests. Contact with him was the first step on the ladder to the peak of world learning. It was at this time that the British government, having decided to conduct a coastal survey of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, sent off the naval ship 'Beagle' on a five-year voyage of research (1831-1836). By means of his personal influence, Professor Henslow secured Darwin's appointment on this ship as a naturalist, thus giving him the opportunity to explore the remoter regions of the world. At this juncture, Darwin could not on his own have obtained a position on the ‘Beagle'. It was entirely thanks to Henslow's perception of his ability that it became possible for him to go off on this historic sea voyage.