From E. A. Darwin [24 February 1825]
[Cambridge]
My Dear Bobby.
Many thanks for your letter The examination1 turned out as I expected in one respect, but how in the name of heaven T.B2 came to be where he is I cant conceive.
You have I suppose by this time felt the good effects of Peiles schorlarship:3 has it turned the Dr’s head?
I dont know whether to be sorry or glad about your Edinborough plans.4 I think it is ten thousand pities if you do not come to Cambridge (wh. seems to be the case), & I shall venture to add that it is a pity you leave school so soon, but to this latter doctrine you will hardly give credit. It will be very pleasant our being together, we shall be as cozy as possible, & I almost think that when you have arrived at the dignity of a ‘Varsity’ man, that I shall leave of licking you. We shall have some good amusement in scheeming out our plans next summer, & I shall vote setting off as soon as may be after your half-year finishes, for I suppose you wont return for the Quarter, & there will be no earthly use staying at Shrewsbury, for it is out of the question reading there, the Lab on one hand, & no room on the other, whereas if we get domiciled at E— — we can both read like horses that is to say if we like it, & I must apropos, when & where are you to graduate? but this I suppose you dont know.
I am getting a little case-hardening in anatomy; for yesterday seeing a body ex⟨ ⟩ & being Junior they gave me a ⟨ ⟩ deal of the dirty work, & I was not the least annoyed while an old Physician also present kept leaving the room perpetually. I dont fancy it wld. have suited your stomack especially before breakfast—
Write to me again whether you have anything or nothing or both to say In the meantime good Bye | yours, E. D—
Footnotes
Bibliography
Autobiography: The autobiography of Charles Darwin 1809–1882. With original omissions restored. Edited with appendix and notes by Nora Barlow. London: Collins. 1958.
Summary
EAD thinks it a pity if CD does not go to Cambridge, but it will be very pleasant for them to be together at Edinburgh, where they should go as soon as possible and read. EAD is getting "case-hardened" in anatomy.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-13
- From
- Erasmus Alvey Darwin
- To
- Charles Robert Darwin
- Sent from
- [Cambridge]
- Postmark
- FE 24 1825
- Source of text
- DAR 204: 11
- Physical description
- ALS 4pp
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 13,” accessed on 26 September 2022, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-13.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 1