From W. P. Snow 21 November 1881
Erith | Kent
Nov 21—1881
Dear Sir,
Though now aged—64—I occasionally ramble about the lanes and Byeways around me, studying and ever learning more of that Nature I love.
I am about trying a revised and cheaper Edition of my Cruise in Tierra del Fuego &c, (issued by Longmans in 1857, 2 Vols) and, in looking over material, I find your valuable opinions on the natives etc. somewhat the reverse of mine.1
I still propose, and have submitted, (uselessly to our Governmt. though more favourably to Foreign Powers,) the establishment of a small Settlement and Harbor of Refuge etc. about Cape Horn.
I enclose an Article I wrote on my Ocean Plans etc. in Chambers’ Journal last year.2
The specimens I collected in T. del Fuego I still retain, and the Holothuria3 from the Beagle Channel in 1855, looks as good as on the day I there collected it.
I should be most happy to show it to yourself or anyone passing my way, or, if agreeable to you, will, some day, when the ground is hard for walking, pay my respects to you in person, and bring it, unless the visit of a stranger should be too intrusive.
In my heavy literary labours, unaided, and much opposed by officials and the Missionary Society,4 my old days are far from easy, and it will be a question if I can ever bring to fruition and publication what I have for so many years laboured upon, but, if I do, a copy shall be sent.
I do not forget a temporary aid you rendered a few years ago.—5
With esteem | yr. fthfl Servt | W. Parker Snow
Chas: Darwin Esq
Footnotes
Bibliography
Journal of researches: Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by HMS Beagle, under the command of Captain FitzRoy, RN, from 1832 to 1836. By Charles Darwin. London: Henry Colburn. 1839.
Patagonian Missionary Society. 1857. A brief reply to certain charges made against the Patagonian, or South American Missionary Society, by W. Parker Snow. Bristol: I. E. Chillcott.
Snow, William Parker. 1857. A two years’ cruise off Tierra del Fuego, the Falkland Islands, Patagonia, and in the river Plate: a narrative of life in the southern seas. 2 vols. London: Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans, & Roberts.
Snow, William Parker. 1858. The ‘Patagonian Missionary Society’ and some truths connected with it: addressed to the subscribers and friends of missions. London: Piper, Stephenson, and Spence.
Summary
Is planning a revised edition of his Cruise in Tierra del Fuego [1857], and finds his opinions on the natives the reverse of CD’s.
Hopes he may call some time.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-13495
- From
- William Parker Snow
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- Erith
- Source of text
- DAR 177: 214
- Physical description
- ALS 3pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 13495,” accessed on 28 March 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-13495.xml