From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[7 Aug 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 3
Summary:
His [first] railway journey was disappointing.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[14 Nov 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 4
Summary:
In his first letter after their engagement, CD reports on the happy reception of the news by his family. He hopes she will not find life with him solitary and dull after the lively social life of Maer.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[21 Nov 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8:5
Summary:
Recounts his misadventures on the train journey back to London. Tells of a visit to the FitzRoys and a friendly letter from Lyell. Whether CD and Emma should live in central London or in the suburbs is a perplexing problem, much discussed by relatives and friends.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[27 Nov 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 6
Summary:
CD and Erasmus continue to search for a house in central London. They have tea with the Carlyles.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[30 Nov – 1 Dec 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 7
Summary:
His search for a London house. He visits the Lyells, who give solemn advice to choose their London acquaintances carefully.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[29 Dec 1838]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 8
Summary:
The house at 12 Upper Gower Street is theirs.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[31 Dec 1838 –] 1 Jan 1839
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 9
Summary:
Has moved into the Gower Street house. Is pleased with it and its location.
Hopes to be able to finish his Glen Roy paper soon.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
2 [–3 Jan 1839]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 10
Summary:
His dinner with the Carlyles. "He is the best worth listening to of any man" – but CD cannot get up much admiration for Mrs C, partly because of her Scots accent, which makes her difficult to understand.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[6–7 Jan 1839]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 11
Summary:
Has been with the Lyells doing geology.
Is reading a biography of Sir W. Scott [J. G. Lockhart, Memoirs of the life of Sir Walter Scott (1837–8)]; also Mungo Park’s book [Travels (1799)].
Has hired a cook at fourteen guineas a year with tea and sugar.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[20 Jan 1839]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 12
Summary:
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."
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
From:
Charles Robert Darwin
To:
Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin
Date:
[26 Jan 1839]
Source of text:
DAR 210.8: 13
Summary:
He has the wedding ring. Agrees to coming straight home after the wedding, if that is what she prefers.
Contributor:
Darwin Correspondence Project
