From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[7 Aug 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 3
Summary:
His [first] railway journey was disappointing.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[14 Nov 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 4
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.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[21 Nov 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8:5
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.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[27 Nov 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 6
Summary:
CD and Erasmus continue to search for a house in central London. They have tea with the Carlyles.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[30 Nov – 1 Dec 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 7
Summary:
His search for a London house. He visits the Lyells, who give solemn advice to choose their London acquaintances carefully.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[29 Dec 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 8
Summary:
The house at 12 Upper Gower Street is theirs.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[31 Dec 1838 –] 1 Jan 1839
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 9
Summary:
Has moved into the Gower Street house. Is pleased with it and its location.
Hopes to be able to finish his Glen Roy paper soon.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
2 [–3 Jan 1839]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 10
Summary:
His dinner with the Carlyles. "He is the best worth listening to of any man" – but CD cannot get up much admiration for Mrs C, partly because of her Scots accent, which makes her difficult to understand.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[6–7 Jan 1839]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 11
Summary:
Has been with the Lyells doing geology.
Is reading a biography of Sir W. Scott [J. G. Lockhart, Memoirs of the life of Sir Walter Scott (1837–8)]; also Mungo Park’s book [Travels (1799)].
Has hired a cook at fourteen guineas a year with tea and sugar.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[20 Jan 1839]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 12
Summary:
Comments on recent visit to Maer. Explains that his notion of happiness as quietness and solitude derives from Beagle experience. Hopes Emma will humanise him. Comments on marriage planned for Tuesday.
Describes recent visit by Lyell and his wife. Talked geology for half an hour "with poor Mrs Lyell sitting by". "I want practice in ill-treating the female sex."
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[26 Jan 1839]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 13
Summary:
He has the wedding ring. Agrees to coming straight home after the wedding, if that is what she prefers.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin; Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
To:
Alphonse de Candolle
Date:
25 May [1839]
Source of text:
Archives de la famille de Candolle (private collection)
Summary:
Invitation to dine at the Darwins’ with J. S. Henslow.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[21–2 Nov 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 204: 150
Summary:
Writes lovingly of small events since he left Maer. Fears their opinions may differ on "the most important subject", religion, but is grateful for his openness about his "honest & conscientious doubts".
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[25 or 26] Nov 1838
Source of text:
DAR 204: 151
Summary:
Responds to items in CD’s letter, just received. Suggests parts of London where he might look for a house. Gives news of friends and relatives.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[30 Nov 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 204: 152
Summary:
Has accepted the Hensleigh Wedgwoods’ invitation to go to London with them; can look at houses with CD. She wishes to avoid extravagance; asks him to choose three or four for her to see.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[3 Dec 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 204: 153
Summary:
She agrees that London is the place to settle. She is eager to see him and full of plans.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[23 Dec 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 204: 154
Summary:
Describes the journey home and the long talks on their return. No maid has been found, so he should engage the one she saw, "for ten guineas & tea & sugar a year". She thought CD looked unwell and overtired.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[26 Dec 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 204: 155
Summary:
Responds to his "business letter" about the maids, then chides herself for feeling dull and disagreeable when she has had everything all her life.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[29 Dec 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 204: 156
Summary:
Is delighted to learn they have "Macaw Cottage" [12 Upper Gower Street] – their second choice; hopes they have disposed of the dead dog in the garden. Much family news.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
To:
Charles Robert Darwin
Date:
[30 Dec 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 204: 157
Summary:
Seeks to persuade CD to leave town at once, go to Shrewsbury for doctoring and some rest, then come to Maer for more rest, for he has looked "so unwell". She knows it must be hard for him to be unable to do his work.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project