CD has had an offer to go on a voyage of discovery for two years. RWD objects strongly, but will let CD make his case and if JW agrees with CD, RWD will change his position. In a postscript RWD adds, "Charles has quite given up … the voyage."
CD has had an offer to go on a voyage of discovery for two years. RWD objects strongly, but will let CD make his case and if JW agrees with CD, RWD will change his position. In a postscript RWD adds, "Charles has quite given up … the voyage."
States his views on each of RWD’s objections to the Beagle venture. JW’s overall position is favourable to CD’s acceptance of the offer.
CD asks his father to consider the offer of the Beagle voyage once more. He encloses his list of RWD’s objections and Josiah Wedgwood’s responses [see 109]. Asks his father to give him a decided answer: if "no" he will never again mention the subject.
RWD had made up his mind to give up his objection to the Beagle voyage if JW did not take the same view. If Charles continues to want to go after further inquiry, will give him every assistance.
Writes with great happiness about the first part of the voyage, after his misery from seasickness passed. He finds himself well prepared, the ship quiet, comfortable, and compact; he has already a "rich harvest" and finds the natural history (especially geology) exceedingly interesting. The tropics are full of great beauty.
Sends a short résumé of his trip on the chance that it will arrive in England earlier than longer letter [158] which he hopes to send by surer means.
He is "incessantly occupied by new and most interesting animals" and thinks he will be able to do some original work in natural history.
First days in Edinburgh.
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.
Thanks JSH for copies of "Extracts from letters addressed to Professor Henslow by C. Darwin, Esq." [privately printed for Cambridge Philosophical Society; Collected papers 1: 3–16].
The family is sensible how much CD owes to JSH, and RWD is highly gratified by CD’s success.
RWD’s happiness that Emma has accepted CD’s proposal of marriage.
JW’s satisfaction in bestowing Emma on CD.
[A note from Emma on cover thanks RWD for the way the family have received her.]
The family gardener reports on seeds he has gathered. RWD transmits the letter.
Send their thanks to JSH for allowing them to see the two letters, one written ten days later than any they have received.