Reports in detail on the 20 Feb 1835 earthquake and on volcanic activity into December of 1835. Encloses a letter sent to him describing the earthquake.
CD informs PPK of his impending arrival at Dunheved, Penrith; news of his journey thus far.
His joy at prospect of journey’s end in eight months’ time.
Observations on Australia.
Reports on his collecting in Galapagos – its flora and very curious birds; its instructive geology.
Tahiti and good work of missionaries.
CD’s impressions of Sydney and of FitzRoy’s character and temperament.
They have been reading about the wreck of the Challenger; much impressed by Capt. FitzRoy’s bravery.
The W. D. Foxes have a daughter. Family news.
CD’s 27th birthday. News of family and friends. A niece, Mary Susan Parker, born 31 January.
All prefer Hobart Town and its society to Sydney. CD’s view on emigration to colonies. All on board are homesick.
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.
News of friends and family.
Keeling Islands, his first coral lagoons; he has been occupied with subject of coral formation for six months.
Very busy at sea rewriting old geological notes. Has difficulties with writing.
FitzRoy has proposed joint account of the journey, combining CD’s journal with his own.
Looks forward with anxiety to Henslow’s reaction to the geological notes.
Will call on Sir J. Herschel, then take short trip in the African desert.
Horrified at the publication of "the little book of extracts" from his letters to Henslow ["Letters to Professor Henslow" (1835), Collected papers 1: 3–16].
A defence of the work of missionaries in the Pacific islands and Australia. [The letter was apparently written by RF with supporting evidence quoted from CD’s journal. The letter is signed by RF alone. A summary conclusion, as printed, is signed by both:] "On the whole, balancing all that we have heard, and all that we ourselves have seen concerning the missionaries in the Pacific, we are very much satisfied that they thoroughly deserve the warmest support, not only of individuals, but of the British Government."
Asks JSH to propose him for Geological Society. His meeting with Sir John Herschel and Andrew Smith at Cape of Good Hope.
In five days of geologising on St Helena, he found that the shells on high land had been mistakenly identified as seashells. They are land shells, but of species no longer living.
Can think of nothing but the return to England and his family.
Beagle is again in Brazil because of need to check on "singular disagreements in the Longitudes".
Pleased by Sedgwick’s praise.
Welcomes CD home; urges him to come to Woodhouse.
Happily home, he sends thanks to his "first Lord of the Admiralty". Will visit Maer in two or three weeks.
CD describes his happy home-coming. Finds his family and Shrewsbury unchanged.
His joy at being home. Anxious to see JSH for advice on his geological specimens.
Sends news of his movements since Beagle put in at Falmouth. His charts are safe and already being engraved.
Announces his engagement.