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The Charles Darwin Collection
The Darwin Correspondence Project is publishing letters written by and to the naturalist Charles Darwin (1809–1882). Complete transcripts of letters are being made available through the Project’s website (www.darwinproject.ac.uk) after publication in the ongoing print edition of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin (Cambridge University Press 1985–). Metadata and summaries of all known letters (c. 15,000) appear in Ɛpsilon, and the full texts of available letters can also be searched, with links to the full texts.
JSH has been asked by Peacock to recommend a naturalist as companion to Capt. FitzRoy on Beagle voyage. CD the best qualified person; not a finished naturalist but amply qualified for collecting, observing, and noting.
Gives CD directions for sending him specimens from Beagle.
Writes of Cambridge politics.
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.
News of Cambridge: the recent examinations; memorial tablet for Marmaduke Ramsay.
Acknowledges receipt of two letters from CD and a box of specimens.
Mentions attendance at BAAS meeting and a gift to him of a small living near Oxford. Some political news.
Congratulates CD on the work he has done – the specimens are of great interest. Gives advice on packing, labelling, and future collecting and suggests that – as a precaution – CD send home a copy of his notes on the specimens.
The [Megatherium] fossils were extremely interesting and were shown at the Geological Section of the BAAS meeting at Cambridge [1833].
The plants delight him; will work them out with W. J. Hooker.
CD should send every fossil he can find; minute insects will be nearly all new. Delighted with descriptions of the few animals alluded to.
CD’s cargo is safe; the fossils have been sent to William Clift.
JSH asks for dried plants (those sent were all of greatest interest).
Sends news of Cambridge and mutual friends.
Encloses CD’s letter and documents [see 360a and 361a] with request that they be reviewed by the Chancellor personally.
He would also like to discuss Cambridge politics if an interview can be arranged.
Fragment glued to CD’s notes on rock specimens. The recto refers to one of CD’s specimens, the verso mentions his Keeling Island plants.
On his 15th wedding anniversary JSH writes to CD wishing him happiness as great as JSH has had in his marriage, and adds some advice.
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.
[Note forwarding 503.]
Lord Fitzwilliam’s gardener does not believe in hybrid ferns.
Would like further experimentation to confirm report about germination of wheat from Egyptian tombs. Sir G. Wilkinson may have been deceived by the Arabs.
Reports on abortive anthers in flowers of thyme sent by CD.
Reports observations on the behaviour of captive harvest mouse and dormouse. When descending sticks mouse uses its tail like a prehensile-tailed monkey.
Calls CD’s attention to an article about William Herbert’s hybrid Narcissus.
Thinks W. Kemp’s specimens are all common varieties of living species of Atriplex.
Regards [W. Kemp’s] plant as clearly only Atriplex patula, though with "an unusual habit".
Adds report on success of his Roman tomb exhibit.
Ask JR to advise the Queen to issue Her Royal Commission of Inquiry into the best methods of securing the improvement of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.
Red and white campions: JSH regards them as races, not species; a flesh-coloured intermediate exists.