experience we are having. With three months or so camp[illegible] ing up in the mountains here by ourselves we should be able to do some good work and we are looking forward to ittremendously. But the life on the boat with Beck at the head of the expedition has begun to tell on me, - this letter ought to prove that. Perhaps three months away from him will straighten it out for it is most certainly not the climate or the work both of which I particularly fancy. It is a long time since I have laughed as it is a long time since I have seen anybody else laugh, on board this vessel. Dr. Drowne is going to stay here with us. But from my own distemper I can only begin to realize what that man (Drowne) has done, what he has gone through, and what an inveterate debt all who are connected with the expedition owe him. With Drowne at the head of the expedi- tion it could go on for a long time, twice as efficiently, far more politique as far as relations with the country and the officials are concerned, and with everybody happy for there is not a person on board, from the captain to Teora the cook, that doesn't love him dearly. It would be, I think, less expensive, for Beck is penny wise and pound foolish, lives continually ahead of his funds, never has any ready money to pay the crew or the bills of the ship, and has wasted a great deal since I have seen him on his inability to make a decision, changing the destination of the boat many times when we are three quarters of the way to another place.