Summary

Grieves over poor account of her health. Emma and Henrietta are also ill.

Summary

Discusses information about Dr Erasmus Darwin.

Summary

Was it Lady Charlemont or Charleville who remarked how agreeable their grandfather was?

Asks her to confirm story about Robert Darwin (father of Dr Erasmus).

Summary

Division of CW’s share [of E. A. Darwin’s estate]. Investment advice.

Recounts his memories of their mother and of her death. Remembers "her black velvet gown and her work table and the death scene", but cannot remember her face. Remembers that Caroline "always acted like a mother" to him and Catherine.

Summary

Questions about his college bills.

Describes the living conditions he will have on the Beagle.

Summary

The outfitting of the Beagle progresses.

CD has been dining out more than he wishes. He has met W. S. Harris of "Electricity" fame.

His fears and hopes about seasickness.

A new continent has been discovered "somewhere far South". "Perhaps we may be sent in search."

Summary

Describes the gathering at Maer and the events culminating in Charlotte Wedgwood’s marriage to Charles Langton.

Summary

CD’s enjoyment of the beauty of the tropics is worth all the misery of seasickness. His mail gave him great pleasure. For two weeks he will visit a large estate in the country, and on return live at Botofogo for some weeks, collecting and learning to know the tropics.

Summary

His trip to the interior was full of interest, but exhausting physically. Expects to stay at least a fortnight at Botofogo, because the Beagle returns to Bahia to correct a difference in the longitude measurements. Writes of his companions, of FitzRoy, and of his journal – which he has sent home.

Summary

Brings CD up to date on family and many friends. Describes the wedding of Fanny Owen and R. M. Biddulph. Sedgwick called on return from Wales. W. D. Fox has been very ill.

Summary

Cancelled. Third party letter quoted in . See Correspondence 1: 253. Forwards letters, adding that Capt. FitzRoy expresses "unqualified satisfaction in Mr. Darwin’s society" and says "D is equally liked and respected by every person in the ship".

Summary

News of the Darwin, Wedgwood, and Owen families, including a report on Frances Wedgwood’s death.

Summary

During the past two months CD has been lucky with fossil bones, and he is also finding new specimens of living animals.

He describes an ostrich hunt.

Has received several letters from home.

He enjoys Buenos Aires and admires the señoritas. Tierra del Fuego is next.

Summary

A ball and two concerts at Shrewsbury; guests at the Darwins’: Mr and Mrs Mathew, three Mr Clives, Emma Wedgwood.

Summary

Family news. Uncle Jos [Josiah Wedgwood II] has been returned to Parliament with a fine majority.

Summary

CD comments on lectures and lecturers at Edinburgh.

Summary

Sends her love and family news.

Summary

Account of the four-month voyage to Tierra del Fuego, Cape Horn, and return. The Fuegians are landed with Richard Matthews [the missionary in charge of them]. Storms, seasickness, hostile savages, and scenery are described. His increasing interest in all branches of natural history makes the hardships worth while. FitzRoy buys a schooner. CD will stay at Rio Negro while it is fitted.

Summary

News of family and friends.

Summary

News of family and friends. "I tell you all the gossip I can that you may know how the Shropshire world is going on."