From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Charles Babbage
Date:
[21 Jan 1838]
Source of text:
The British Library (Add MS 37190: 320)
Summary:
Asks Babbage to take small parcel to Henslow.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
Showing 101–120 of 289 items
Asks Babbage to take small parcel to Henslow.
At Lyell’s request sends his copy of Whewell’s History of inductive sciences [1837] to CB.
Describes the two species of lizard [Amblyrhynchus] found in the Galapagos Archipelago.
CD wants to request the assistance of Government to support the expense of the numerous engravings necessary for the publication of the results of the extensive collections in various departments of Natural History during the Beagle voyage. To what quarter should he apply?
Asks Whewell questions on earthquake wave action.
Thanks him for signature [to CD’s request to Chancellor of the Exchequer for funds for Zoology].
Upon the advice of Captain Beaufort and with embarrassment to himself CD asks JSH whether he would be perfectly willing personally to take the letter requesting government assistance directly to Thomas Spring Rice [Chancellor of the Exchequer].
Discusses insect specimens he left with FWH. Asks if he may state on FWH’s authority that a third or a half of the specimens from Sydney and Hobart Town are undescribed – a striking fact, showing imperfect knowledge of the insects in the close neighbourhood of the two Australian capitals.
Has finished the Journal; is readying it for the press.
Adds family news including Caroline’s forthcoming marriage to Josiah Wedgwood III.
Has been "cramming up learning to ornament my journal with".
Sends a list of questions on his botanical specimens. Needs answers for Journal of researches, which he expects to go to press in August.
Questions about woods in cold, northern climates; about JR’s reference to frozen sandstone; about how far out from the shore the sea may become frozen.
His petition for assistance from the government is in statu quo; he is working at his Journal [of researches].
Galapagos land birds and reptiles.
No two naturalists agree on any fundamental idea [of species]. "Everything is arbitrary."
Has been with Richard Owen going over the S. American fossils.
Has worked out the non-relation between animals’ bulk and luxuriance of vegetation.
The horse once common on the Pampas. The mystery of the extinction of these animals.
Botanical queries for Journal of researches, which is about to go to press.
Asks WS to write to his friend to make his corrections [in CD’s MS of Journal of researches] in ink.
Capt. FitzRoy agrees with the propriety of beginning to print [CD’s volume separately] at once.
Asks to withdraw abstract of his paper on coral formations ["Elevation and subsidence in the Pacific" (1838), Collected papers 1: 46–9].
With the encouragement of several scientific gentlemen and supported by the opinions of the Presidents of the three Learned Societies, CD ventures to request a grant of £1000 from Government to cover the cost of 150 engravings to illustrate results of his Beagle collections.
Chancellor of the Exchequer has ordered £1000 for the publication of the Zoology. Would like to meet JR to ask his advice on one or two points.
Thanks for his long account of the climate of North America.
Reports his successful interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer [Thomas Spring Rice] about a grant for publishing [Zoology]. Thanks JSH for help with this; "you have been the making of me from the first".
Proof-sheets [of Journal of researches] are tumbling in. Mentions future plans for Zoology and geological works. Has £1000 from Government for illustrations.
Regrets he cannot come to music meeting in Birmingham because he is very busy with the proofs of his book [Journal of researches]. A waste of life to spend a summer in ugly Marlborough Street.
Doctors have urged him to knock off all work and go to the country. Arranges proof-reading with JSH, while he is at Shrewsbury.