Hopes to be able to help Cambridge Philosophical Society with his collections, but thinks most will have to go to British Museum.
Describes Beagle quarters, the surgeon [Robert McCormick, M.D.], and officers.
Asks JSH’s advice on studying mathematics.
Sailing date fixed for end of month. Beagle is beautiful. Details of instructions and route. Hopes voyage will not exceed four years. Quarters very confined. Considers Jenyns did wisely in not coming. If CD were longer out of college and some years older he never could have endured it.
Regrets that it will be impossible to visit Cambridge for some years. Reminisces about CW’s "classical Sunday evenings", the Glutton Club, and his friends.
"We spend about 2 years in S. America, the rest of time larking round the world."
Still delayed; will not sail until 5 December. Instructions have come, with proposed itinerary.
Is sending plates for R. T. Lowe’s paper [Trans. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 4 (1833): 1–70].
Adds advice on working the surd.
Agrees with CD that Beagle voyage would have been wrong for Jenyns, but assures him he (CD) is the right man. Warns CD against his "foible" of taking offence at rudeness or ungentlemanlike behaviour.
Confusion on board the Beagle at definite prospect of sailing. Gives directions for sending mail to Montevideo.
News of Cambridge: the recent examinations; memorial tablet for Marmaduke Ramsay.
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.
Chronicles the events of February, principally of the family and of a few friends: engagements, marriages, deaths, some visits.
Writes of his family and Shropshire events. Comments on the slow progress of the Reform Bill.
Writes news of Cambridge friends, professors, music, the Reform Bill, and cholera. Expresses belief that CD will take his place with Cuvier and Humboldt.
Writes of voyage and his work in natural history: geology, collecting insects (freshwater beetles and spiders at Botofogo Bay); life at sea, sublime views ashore.
News from Maer and Shrewsbury of family, friends, and reports of reactions to CD’s first letters.
Sedgwick suggests he look for fossils in gravel banks of rivers.
Fanny Owen is married to R. M. Biddulph. Reform Bill prospects.
His first letter to JSH since December. Recounts his seasickness, geologising and marine collecting at St Jago [Santiago, Cape Verde Is.]; his first tropical forest. Collecting small insects from the tropics. His Welsh trip with Sedgwick has been extremely valuable.
Summarises experiences since leaving England. "How intimately what may be called the ""moral part"" is connected with the enjoyment of scenery." The loneliness of the voyage.
Has been away from parish because of a three-month illness. Refers briefly to events in England since the Beagle sailed.
Regrets leaving the tropics, despite interest in a land where Europeans have never been. They have experienced political turmoil at Montevideo. Natural history going well.
Specimens being sent off. Describes his collection of rocks, plants, and insects. Some particularly interesting specimens.
News of family and friends.