Preparations for the wedding, various callers, and other bits of news.
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Preparations for the wedding, various callers, and other bits of news.
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."
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.
Discusses CD’s religious doubts. Fears his work may lead him to discount what cannot be proved, and advises that there are some things which, "if true are likely to be above our comprehension" and "that there is a danger in giving up revelation".
Invitation to dine at the Darwins’ with J. S. Henslow.
An amusing description of his railway journey to Shrewsbury.
Family news. Mainly concerned about Doddy’s [W. E. Darwin’s] health.
The happy family life at Shrewsbury. CD is looking so well his father would not have known there was anything the matter with him. The year’s accounts come to £1380.
Family news from Shrewsbury.
News of family and of his stay at Shrewsbury.
Calculates the newly instituted income tax will mean £30 per annum.
Is "stomachy and be-blue-devilled" because of costs of publishing [Zoology and Coral reefs]. Wonders how the remainder [of the Zoology and Geology of "Beagle"] can be published without taking £200 or £300 out of their personal funds.
News of the Shrewsbury family. He cannot get his father to sympathise with the numbness in his finger ends or his fears of "ruin and extravagance".
Arrangements for Emma’s return to Down.
CD has been "wonderfully strong".
Asks that in the event of his death, Emma should have the sketch of his species theory edited and published. Suggests possible editors, among them Lyell, Edward Forbes, and J. D. Hooker. [CD annotation on cover: "Hooker by far best man to edit my species volume Aug 1854".]
Has been discussing wills and other legal matters with his father.
News of the children and books he is reading.
Mainly news of the three children.
News of progress in remodelling. He and Etty [Henrietta] miss the rest of the family.
Was sick, but "two pills of opium righted me".
CD has been stomachy and sick, but not very uncomfortable.
Working on proofs [of South America] and cannot keep printer supplied with manuscript.
His thoughts of her, and news of the children who are at Down with him.