Still rejoices in having found the house they like.
Thinks he might enjoy Jenny [Jane Welsh] Carlyle’s company more away from Carlyle "as she must have her full swing in talking".
Says the wedding must be fixed for the 29th instead of the 24th.
Hopes he will look better than on his last visit.
Glad to have his letter; supposes she will receive only two or three more from him in her life.
Thinks he should leave the curtains for her.
Discusses Mungo Park and Sir Walter Scott’s Life.
Sends congratulations on CD’s engagement, with a gift.
Hopes Richard Owen will have time to do CD’s shells in spirits.
Doubts WJB’s suggestion that moles may play a part in formation of mould.
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."
Preparations for the wedding, various callers, and other bits of news.
Asks what generic and subgeneric name John Gould has given to the goatsuckers of the U. S. [for Birds].
Responds warmly to his very nice letter. CD need have no fear that she will not be as happy as he.
Again expresses uneasiness that their opinions on religion do not agree on all points. Hopes they will sympathise in their feelings on the subject.
He has the wedding ring. Agrees to coming straight home after the wedding, if that is what she prefers.
A newly-elected Fellow returns the obligation to be signed upon entering the Geological Society.
Submits the account of Smith, Elder & Co. for the third number of part two and second number of part three of the Zoology.
Writes to CD as "Brother Benedick" and sends hearty good wishes for health and happiness in marriage. They are sending a little silver candlestick for a wax taper.
Asks WW to alter, before printing, the passages in WW’s Presidential Address to the Geological Society [Proc. Geol. Soc. Lond. 3 (1839): 93] which pointedly allude to the delay in publication of CD’s Beagle journal; they might annoy FitzRoy, who, as Captain, has a right to first use of the papers of all officers on board.
Supports John Lawrance’s application to become a fellow of the Geological Society.
Returns Whewell’s presidential address to the Geological Society of London (Whewell 1839), and suggests that ‘rules’ be changed to ‘customs’.
Has finished earthquake paper ["Volcanic phenomena in South America" (1840), Collected papers 1: 53–86]. Gives instructions about a woodcut. There should be an outline map.
Sends his congratulations and best wishes on CD’s marriage.
Formal request for F. Lutké’s charts of the Caroline Islands and any charts by Beechey of the Lagoon Islands [Ellice Islands] that the Society might possess.
Has objected to loading Narrative with advertisements, but thinks CD’s Zoology and Geology might be advertised. Mentions other details of the final stages of publication.
Captain FitzRoy has no objection to appending advertisement of other works connected with Beagle voyage to CD’s volume [Journal of researches].