CD’s father has given him £200 to settle his debts.
He is delighted by a magnificent anonymous gift of a microscope.
Sees a good deal of the Henslows who are expecting a child soon.
CD still talks of the "Canary scheme"; he is learning Spanish.
Poverty keeps him at Shrewsbury.
The Canary scheme still goes, CD is studying Spanish and geology.
Jenyns has started CD on Diptera.
Will send his insects and two or three from Henslow.
The Canary scheme takes place next June.
Is grieved WDF thinks him capable of telling falsehoods.
Received offer of post as naturalist in the Beagle in the same mail as WDF’s last letter. Outlines details of prospective voyage. Not certain, but thinks he probably will go.
Expresses pleasure that all is well with their friendship, which he prizes.
Describes his appointment, the Beagle, his companions, and the objectives of the voyage. Gives his schedule before departure.
Still delayed; will not sail until 5 December. Instructions have come, with proposed itinerary.
Writes of voyage and his work in natural history: geology, collecting insects (freshwater beetles and spiders at Botofogo Bay); life at sea, sublime views ashore.
Has been away from parish because of a three-month illness. Refers briefly to events in England since the Beagle sailed.
He is staying on the Isle of Wight because he has been unwell. He is thought to be in danger of contracting consumption, and the climate is beneficial. He is convalescent now, but will spend the winter there.
Offers to forward any natural history stores CD may want.
Sketches the Beagle’s travels – Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, cruise to the south and return – and what the future holds. Writes with nostalgia of England and says he sees no end to the voyage.
He enjoys and has been lucky principally in geology and among pelagic animals; has found remains of large extinct animals.
His health has improved but he continues "a good deal of an invalid" and is uncertain what the future holds for him.
His interest in entomology and ornithology continues; he has been studying the gulls on the Isle of Wight.
He misses society. "I often conjecture what will become of me; my wishes certainly would make me a country clergyman. – You expect sadly more than I shall ever do in Nat. Hist: I am only a sort of Jackall, a lions provider; but I wish I was sure there were lions enough."
Has collected a host of minute beetles, some reptiles, small quadrupeds, and fishes. Invertebrate marine animals are his delight. The pleasure of working with microscope ranks second only to geology.
Writes of his ride from Rio Negro to Bahia Blanca and Buenos Aires, which he undertook in order to learn the geology of the land, so full of bones of large extinct quadrupeds.
WDF sends news of his activities and of his family.
Congratulates WDF on his marriage,
reminisces about Cambridge and early entomology. Now neglects entomology for geology.
Describes Concepción after earthquake.
Hopes to cross Cordilleras before they leave South America in September.
Expresses envy for WDF’s life as a clergyman.
Outlines homeward voyage; tells of his hope of seeing active volcanoes and Tertiary strata in Galapagos. Recommends geology to Fox. Discusses Lyell’s views; CD has become "a zealous disciple".
Finds the voyage tedious at present.
Expects that the different scientific societies will be of the greatest use to his work in London when he returns home.
Gives some impressions of Australia.
All his affairs are most prosperous. Has found many who will undertake description of animals; he will work at the geology. Lyell has been most friendly and kind.
CD has been proposed to the Geological Society.
Informs WDF of his activities since the Beagle landed.
Finished going over his geological specimens at Cambridge, and is now in London.
Describes his plans for writing the journal, and later the geology and zoology of the Beagle voyage.