Family and Shropshire news.

News of family and friends, much of it about forthcoming marriages: Fanny Owen and R. M. Biddulph, Fanny Mackintosh and Hensleigh Wedgwood. Charlotte Wedgwood will write to him of her own engagement to Charles Langton.

Writes chiefly of family affairs: Erasmus’ visit, further delay in Fanny Owen’s marriage, Sarah [Owen] Williams’ illness, Arthur Owen’s sad departure for India; cholera.

Lists letters received and those sent; comments on family happenings.

The Beagle is back [from Bahia]; two sailors and "little [Charles] Musters" died of fever. In 14 days they sail for Montevideo, then to Rio Negro, then on to where no man is known to have been before.

Sailing next day to Montevideo. He has taken many hitherto undescribed animals. Describes the glories of the Brazilian forest.

Mentions his concern over the Reform Bill.

Tells of the family’s pleasure in reading CD’s first two letters and his journal.

Comments on Shrewsbury politics, the cholera, and the family. Sedgwick calls often; Catherine thinks he is interested in Susan.

Writes news of family, Maer, and Woodhouse. His father has sent for a banana tree

and plans to buy J. J. Audubon’s book [Birds of America (1827)].

Charles Langton has been given a living near Ludlow.

Longs to be on the other side of the Horn; tired of these countries. Natural history makes him continue. He now knows it will remain his favourite pursuit for the rest of his life.

Comments on slavery.

Will have additional space on board and a servant [Syms Covington] who will help him with the collection of birds and quadrupeds.

Asks for books, a lens, and four pairs of shoes.

She and Susan are in London, and she writes of people they have seen or had news of: Captain Harding, E. A. Darwin, Fanny [Mrs Hensleigh] Wedgwood, Emma Wedgwood, the Langtons, Josiah Wedgwood and Aunt Bessie, Fanny Biddulph and child, and the Evanses of Portrane.

Mainly Shropshire news of family and friends.

Finds his journal interesting; they will read it aloud to Papa on winter evenings. They all regret the long time the journey is taking.

Mentions letters sent in parcel and those from CD received by Fox and Henslow. Adds news of family and friends.

Appreciation of his journal. She hears that CD’s "theory of the Earth" is the same as Lyell’s in 3d volume [of Principles of geology (1833)].

News of family and friends: W. D. Fox will marry in the spring; private theatricals at Eaton house-party.

Describes Patagonia and its inhabitants.

Writes of his pleasure in geology.

Predicts that Falklands will become an "important halting place". Outlines Beagle’s future itinerary.

In the past six months he has done much geology and natural history. His geological pursuits are a source of high pleasure. Has lately determined to work chiefly on corals.

Spent three weeks going up the Santa Cruz with a party; they ran out of provisions 20 miles from the Cordilleras. Winter at present prevents his doing much natural history.

Family and local news. Tom Eyton will marry. Tells of the great fire of the Houses of Parliament.

CD has recovered from his illness.

Fatigue and depression had almost decided Captain FitzRoy to turn over his command, but he was dissuaded.

Beagle will now go no further south than Cape Tres Montes and will finish survey in five months.

CD experiences his first earthquake.

Concerned over CD’s illness. His father strongly urges him to come home lest his health be ruined.

News of family and friends.

Twelve Tories elected in Shropshire.

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.

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.