Summary

Writes of the pleasure all feel in CD’s continued good health and joy in his voyage.

Tells of the banana tree he bought, which he sits under and thinks of CD "in similar shade".

CD’s financial accounts are correct.

Summary

Has been working hard on collecting English and foreign birds. Yarrell has written of new birds discovered in England.

News of work in progress by Leonard Jenyns, P. J. Selby, and John Gould.

Cautions CD to beware of insects when he sends any birds’ skins – otherwise there will be only feathers, beaks, and legs remaining when he returns.

Summary

Has had to draw bills totalling £217 in seven months.

Is glad the Captain has decided to winter in Tierra del Fuego, because this will facilitate "glorious excursions" into the Andes.

Has obtained fragments of fossil bones and part of a Megatherium head.

Their long delay occurred because the charts were not complete for sending home.

CD is now on shore because of seasickness.

The family may not hear from him for a year.

Summary

List of mountains with their heights.

Summary

Finds his journal interesting; they will read it aloud to Papa on winter evenings. They all regret the long time the journey is taking.

Summary

Sends her love and family news.

Summary

Describes his trip to north of Santa Fé, his illness, and return by boat to Buenos Aires – which he found in the throes of a revolution. Covington is cut off from the town, which some expect to be plundered.

Summary

His troubles during the revolution have ended well.

Now plans to investigate geological formations at Rio Negro. Is concerned about the expense but cannot bear to miss seeing "one of the most curious pieces of Geology".

Summary

With the help of General Rosas, CD has just finished an overland journey from Patagones to Buenos Aires; he tells of fossil finds at Bahia Blanca and Guardia del Monte. Spring reminds him of home.

Summary

Finds CD’s journal very entertaining and interesting, but thinks his style in first part too much influenced by Humboldt.

Sends some books by Harriet Martineau and Archbishop Whately.

Rejoices that the more he sees of Negroes, the better he thinks of them.

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."

Summary

Mainly Shropshire news of family and friends.

Summary

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

Summary

News of family and friends. Hensleigh Wedgwood’s scruples about swearing oaths.

Summary

News of family and friends.

Summary

Informs JSH that a Spanish friend has offered him a cargo of bones. If they arrive, he has arranged with Edward Lumb to forward them to JSH. [Forwarded to JSH with 244.]

Summary

She and Susan are in London, and she writes of people they have seen or had news of: Captain Harding, E. A. Darwin, Fanny [Mrs Hensleigh] Wedgwood, Emma Wedgwood, the Langtons, Josiah Wedgwood and Aunt Bessie, Fanny Biddulph and child, and the Evanses of Portrane.

Summary

Mentions letters sent in parcel and those from CD received by Fox and Henslow. Adds news of family and friends.

Appreciation of his journal. She hears that CD’s "theory of the Earth" is the same as Lyell’s in 3d volume [of Principles of geology (1833)].

Summary

Wishes CD well on his trip to General Juan Manuel Rosas. CD is to send word when he wants a boat; there is no hurry, for there is plenty of work for the sounders. He envies CD’s travels.

Summary

Sending shot or powder is illegal, but all CD’s goods and chattels have been sent. EL’s services to CD are what any Englishman should do for his country.