Has had two bad days with boils.
Is reading Last days of Pompeii [Edward Bulwer Lytton (1834)].
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".
His health not good.
Has been reading John Evelyn’s Life of Mrs Godolphin, and Mme Sévigné.
Family news. Finds Shrewsbury too noisy.
Anxiety about R. W. Darwin’s health.
Has been unwell but is improving. His father also very ill.
CD fears he must wear Emma with his unwellness and complaints.
Reports the state of Anne Darwin’s health.
Reports on Anne’s illness.
Reports on Anne’s condition.
Detailed account of progress of Anne’s illness.
Reports on Anne’s health throughout the night and from 8 a.m. through to 4.30 p.m.
Further reports on Anne’s illness.
An evening report on Annie Darwin’s somewhat improved condition.
Tells of Anne’s death.
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".
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.
His [first] railway journey was disappointing.
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.
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.