Henslow, J. S. to Darwin, C. R.
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JSH has been asked by Peacock to recommend a naturalist as companion to Capt. FitzRoy on Beagle voyage. CD the best qualified person; not a finished naturalist but amply qualified for collecting, observing, and noting.
Summary Add
Transcription
Cambridge
24 Aug 1831
My dear Darwin,
Before I enter upon the immediate business of this letter, let us condole together upon
the loss of our inestimable friend poor Ramsay of whose death you have undoubtedly heard
long before this. I will not now dwell upon this painful subject as I shall hope to see
you shortly fully expecting that you will eagerly catch at the offer which is likely to
be made you of a trip to Terra del Fuego & home by the East Indies— I
have been asked by Peacock who will read & forward this to you from London to
recommend him a naturalist as companion to Capt Fitzroy employed by Government to survey
the S. extremity of America— I have stated that I consider you to be
the best qualified person I know of who is likely to undertake such a
situation— I state this not on the supposition of
y
(Turn over)
The exped
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- f1 105.f1
The cover is addressed to `C. Darwin Esqr Shrewsbury To be forwarded or opened, if absent'. - +
- f2 105.f2
`the bailiff that is close at the debtor's back, or that catches him in the rear' (OED). - +
- f3 105.f3
Since this date and the reference to Robert FitzRoy's wanting a companion are details that do not appear in the letter from George Peacock to J. S. Henslow, [6 or 13 August 1831], Henslow must have had at least one additional letter from Peacock.