Replies to CD’s letter [250], giving news of himself and mutual friends.
Replies to CD’s letter [250], giving news of himself and mutual friends.
Met Capt. Harding who said FitzRoy was promoted to Post-Captain.
News of family and friends. Forthcoming marriages of Robert Wedgwood and Tom Eyton.
Sends CD large beetles from Chiloé.
Describes an earthquake at Caucague.
Gives exact location and measurements of two blocks of granite; has seen and heard of others; will report if he surveys the Potrero on Chiloé.
Definite plans now to leave Valparaiso 1 June and to arrive in Sydney in January; then Cape of Good Hope and home in September 1836.
Describes Concepción after earthquake.
Will cross the Cordilleras. Hopes snow will hold off.
Urges him to return home. News of family and friends; the Langtons will go to Rio in April and then winter in the West Indies. Henslow has a son.
His trip across the Andes and back was his most successful excursion: can clearly demonstate that the western part of the double line of mountains is much older, with fossil shells at 12000ft; the eastern line may be as modern as the Patagonian plains. If proved, this is an important fact in the theory of the formation of the world. Has found petrified trees.
Slow and tedious trip through miserable country, but geology prospers, and CD will have a good general idea of the structure of Chile by the time he leaves the country. Will send a last large cargo of specimens to Henslow.
Gives details of his observations which lend support to the view that Chile is rising with respect to the sea. Reports some observations and opinions with regard to earthquakes and volcanic action in the area.
Greatly enjoyed CD’s company; has worried about his health. Adds some European and English news.
Passes on news from England and some Shrewsbury papers.
Describes his trip from Coquimbo to Copiapò, where he rejoined the Beagle – a hard and wearisome journey, but geologically interesting.
FitzRoy piloted the [Blonde] to rescue crew of wrecked Challenger.
CD has received letters that were missing, and others; for ten months there will be none to or from him.
Memorandum of geological instructions to guide ABU during a voyage of [Constitucion] to survey the coast of Peru.
Living quietly on the ship and eating good food has been good for him. He longs for home. Peru is in a miserable state.
Erasmus has received CD’s journal and two boxes; six large boxes are at Plymouth. Had feared them lost in wreck of Challenger.
News of family and friends.
Some of CD’s letters were read at Geological Society in London. Professor Sedgwick says of CD, "doing admirably … collection above all praise … will have a great name among the Naturalists of Europe".
Erasmus has taken office of Clerk to a Government Commissioner. Other family news.
At sea 25 days from Galapagos to Tahiti, where they stayed ten days. It was delightful. Then three weeks to New Zealand, where they will be for ten days.
Convinced of high merit of missionaries.
Dislikes Augustus Earle’s book.
CD’s fame is spreading: she quotes Henslow ["Letters to Professor Henslow" (1835), Collected papers 1: 3–16], and a passage in the Athenæum.
Adds news of family and friends.
Reports in detail on the 20 Feb 1835 earthquake and on volcanic activity into December of 1835. Encloses a letter sent to him describing the earthquake.
CD’s impressions of Sydney and of FitzRoy’s character and temperament.
They have been reading about the wreck of the Challenger; much impressed by Capt. FitzRoy’s bravery.
The W. D. Foxes have a daughter. Family news.