Letter

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Summary

CD informs PPK of his impending arrival at Dunheved, Penrith; news of his journey thus far.

Transcription

[Bathurst, New South Wales]1

My dear Sir

I arrived here yesterday evening, certainly alive, but half roasted with the intense heat.— If my horses do not fail, I shall reach Dunhevedf2 on Sunday evening & if you are at home, shall have much pleasure in staying with you the ensuing day.— I have seen nothing remarkable in the Geology or indeed I may add in anything else: It appears me, very singular, how very uniform the character of the scenery remains, in so many miles of country. At Mr Walker’s Farm I staid one day, & went out Kangaroo hunting, but had not the good fortune even to see one. In the evening however, we went with a gun in pursuit of the Platypi & actually killed one.— I consider it a great feat, to be in at the death of so wonderful an animal.— I shall take advantage of your note of introduction to Mr Hughes & sleep there tomorrow night: if I should hear of anything remarkable in rocks of the neighbouring mountains I might be delayed there one day, in which case I should not reach Dunheved till Monday evening.—

Believe me, Dear Sir | Very sincerely Yours. | Charles Darwin.

Postmark: Postmark: Bathurst NSW

Footnotes

f1
Bathurst is located on the banks of the Macquarie River about 100 miles inland from Sydney. CD had arrived there on 20 January (see `Beagle’ diary, p. 383).
f2
King had retired to Dunheved, Penrith, N.S.W.

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