Summary

Has had two bad days with boils.

Is reading Last days of Pompeii [Edward Bulwer Lytton (1834)].

Summary

Reports on his father’s health, and Catherine’s. CD, himself, has been a little sick.

Hensleigh [Wedgwood] thinks he has settled the free-will question – "we have none whatsoever".

Summary

His health not good.

Has been reading John Evelyn’s Life of Mrs Godolphin, and Mme Sévigné.

Summary

Family news. Finds Shrewsbury too noisy.

Summary

Anxiety about R. W. Darwin’s health.

Summary

Has been unwell but is improving. His father also very ill.

Summary

CD fears he must wear Emma with his unwellness and complaints.

Summary

Reports the state of Anne Darwin’s health.

Summary

Reports on Anne’s illness.

Summary

Reports on Anne’s condition.

Summary

Detailed account of progress of Anne’s illness.

Summary

Reports on Anne’s health throughout the night and from 8 a.m. through to 4.30 p.m.

Summary

Further reports on Anne’s illness.

Summary

An evening report on Annie Darwin’s somewhat improved condition.

Summary

Tells of Anne’s death.

Summary

CD recounts an idyllic stroll and nap – "as pleasant a rural scene as ever I saw, and I did not care one penny how any of the beasts or birds had been formed".

Summary

Concerned about ED’s headaches, CD writes an affectionate letter.

Believes he has found a rare slave-making species of ant.

Is reading novels: Beneath the surface and Three chances.

Summary

His [first] railway journey was disappointing.

Summary

In his first letter after their engagement, CD reports on the happy reception of the news by his family. He hopes she will not find life with him solitary and dull after the lively social life of Maer.

Summary

Recounts his misadventures on the train journey back to London. Tells of a visit to the FitzRoys and a friendly letter from Lyell. Whether CD and Emma should live in central London or in the suburbs is a perplexing problem, much discussed by relatives and friends.