After a long interval, during which “Old John” ignored my existence almost as completely as before, he stopped me again as we met in a casual way, and describing the service on which the “Rattlesnake” was likely to be employed, said that Captain Owen Stanley, who was to command the ship, had asked him to recommend an assistant surgeon who knew something of science; would I like that?  Of course I jumped at the offer.  “Very well, I give you leave; go to London at once and see Captain Stanley.”  I went, saw my future commander, who was very civil to me, and promised to ask that I should be appointed to his ship, as in due time I was.  It is a singular thing that during the few months of my stay at Haslar I had among my messmates two future Directors-General of the Medical Service of the Navy (Sir Alexander Armstrong and Sir John Watt-Reid), with the present President of the College of Physicians, and my kindest of doctors, Sir Andrew Clark.

A letter to his eldest sister, Lizzie, dated from Haslar May 24, 1846, shows how he regarded the prospect now opening before him.]

...As I see no special queries in your letter, I think I shall go on to tell you what that same way of life is likely to be—­my fortune having already been told for me (for the next five years at least).  I told you in my last that I was likely to have a permanency here.  Well, I was recommended by Sir John Richardson, and should have certainly had it, had not (luckily) the Admiralty put in a man of their own.  Having a good impudent faith in my own star (Wie das Gestirn, ohne Hast, ohne Rast), I knew this was only because I was to have something better, and so it turned out; for a day or two after I was ousted from the museum, Sir J. Richardson (who has shown himself for some reason or another a special good friend to me) told me that he had received a letter from Captain Owen Stanley, who is to command an exploring expedition to New Guinea (not coast of Africa, mind), requesting him to recommend an assistant surgeon for this expedition—­would I like the appointment?  As you may imagine I was delighted at the offer, and immediately accepted it.  I was recommended accordingly to Captain Stanley and Sir W. Burnett, and I shall be appointed as soon as the ship is in commission.  We are to have the “Rattlesnake,” a 28-gun frigate, and as she will fit out here I shall have no trouble.  We sail probably in September.

New Guinea, as you may be aware, is a place almost unknown, and our object is to bring back a full account of its Geography, Geology, and Natural History.  In the latter department with which I shall have (in addition to my medical functions) somewhat to do, we shall form one grand collection of specimens and deposit it in the British Museum or some other public place, and this main object being always kept in view, we are at liberty to collect and work for ourselves as we please.  Depend upon it unless some sudden attack of laziness supervenes, such an opportunity