Henry W. Bates conveys to ARW’s mother news of the death of her son Edward (Herbert Edward), ARW’s younger brother, who reached camp while ARW was away upriver. He had contracted yellow fever; Bates was with him, obtained physician’s care, but after a few days Herbert perished from the “black vomit,” the most lethal form of the disease. Bates reports that Herbert was well looked after to the end.

Bates informs ARW’s mother of the death of youngest son Edward Herbert Wallace from yellow fever; his insect collections will be sent home by next vessel. Herbert didn’t realize “that his case was serious until a few hours before his death,” and then he remarked that it was “sad to die so young.” About a third of population here wiped out by smallpox.

Chatty shipboard observations for her mother in England while en route to New York City; behavior of passengers; illnesses; favorable first impressions of America, on way to Canada, then settles in Southern U.S. Finds comfortable teaching situation in Georgia girl’s school. Wishes mother could join her, but distance is prohibitive.

Repeats, for mother, the near-disasters during sea voyage already written to brothers (WCP1259). “Dark and stormy” night in Channel, almost ran into much larger vessel in fog, was rescued by Captain’s quick move from bed to taking the wheel or “we should have all been at the bottom of the sea in our berths.” Later a fire on board was extinguished. Nearly ran aground on French coast, stalled off Cape Hatteras. Now situated in Georgia school for girls teaching arithmetic, music, grammar, French to 24 pupils; very agreeable life, but “quite long to have Alfred here with me”; want him to teach me botany. Five teachers here, more schools planned. Wants mother and brothers to join her in making new life here.

Locals invite us over, desire to socialize with English people. Elegant styles, fashions, homes, but tell us “20 years ago this place was thick forest inhabited only by native Indians.” Visitors don’t walk much here; travel in the area via horseback or carriages, though roads very bad.

Adding pupils a few girls at a time, will be making £100 in six months. “Tell Herbert I have seen no Indians and no wild beasts.” We shall see friendly Indians in Alabama. Wildflowers delightful; in nearby woods azaleas, cloves, and jasmine are common.

Living with delightful family, leave each morning to teach school. Comfortable and healthy. Wishes she could invite mother (with caregiver) to come and stay, but cannot house them.

After bumpy, rough 200-mile carriage ride to Montgomery, Alabama, was graciously received by hosts. Later visited the Jackson’s plantation in countryside. First Episcopal Bishop of Georgia wrote letters of introduction. Good Library at house. “Servants” [slaves] live well here and are “well regulated” without using “harsh words to the poor things. I never do,” and they respond readily to kindness.

Now established as teacher, has almost 30 girl pupils; accepted in local society. People try to match me with local gentlemen; don’t want a beau, focused on career. Established a school without capital, “could not be done in England”; works 10-hour days. Desires to reunite and re-locate family in Georgia, urges ARW (“I long for him every day”) and brother Jim to join her. They could set up successful Engineering and Surveying Company, then buy land, marry well, and become gentlemen farmers; in their letters they show no interest. English people don’t understand that each state has own customs, manners, and laws “as separate as the different countries of Europe.” Climate healthy, abundant watermelons, peaches, apples, pears, corn. Includes note to ARW and Jim that promising possibilities exist also in Texas.

Repeats that she is glad about Mr. Lloyd’s agreement to end his persistent courtship of her, which had caused her some anxiety, as mentioned in WCP1272; glad she finally decided to firmly decline; he graciously offers to remain a devoted friend. Will enter new school 25 Jan 1846; intends to send for their younger brother Herbert soon. Satisfied to be teacher, does not want responsibilities of becoming Headmistress. “Wish I possessed a fairy wand which could emancipate all slavery” but fears that might also unleash “all rising against their masters (the whites in general) without reserve….even the kind-hearted masters.”

Wants more letters from the family. School boys helping to build large schoolroom. Looking forward to summer, when fruits abundant; tired of eating Poultry. During walk saw “kind of cavalcade” that turned out to be a traveling party of traders with Negroes for sale. Watched through tears at cart of young children; “extraordinary feeling of seeing human beings being driven to market.” “They are treated like beasts and their spirits broken. They exhibit a fine taste for music and sing anything they hear.” She believes that their babies born very light- skinned, but “become darker” as they grow up.

Arrival in Singapore; town and population; Bukit Tima (Timah) Mission; butterflies; boxes due on ship Eliza Thornton; broken watch; instructions to Samuel Stevens.

Daily tasks with insect collections; sending a box of beetles to Stevens; plans to go to Borneo; Charles's progress as assistant; friends and family in England.

Sea journey from Singapore; living conditions in Malacca; employment of servants; French missionaries; Chinese farmers; Charles Allen's progress as assistant; birds and monkeys; plans to visit Cambodia.

Attack of fever in Malacca, quinine treatment; insects and birds collected in Malacca; ascent of Mount Ophir; arrival of post including and letters from Adelaide, Australia; arrival of newspapers, instruments, repaired watch and food from England; basket of food spoiled by insects, better to use soldered tin box; visit to Sir James Brooke; plans to visit Sarawak; friends and family; continued carelessness of assistant Charles.

Christmas day with the Rajah (Sir James Brooke); admirable character of Brooke; expedition into interior with Dyaks; character and customs of Dyak people; the Malays; fears plants sent to England dead, plans to collect in Celebes; Miss Woodford recommended as wife for ARW by G S (George Silk); possible trip to California.

The BM (Natural History); ARW's relationship with Gray; photography; proposed expedition to Batchian Island near Gilolo; encouraging letters from Hooker and Darwin, his essay read at the Linnean Society; sale by Stevens of collections from Aru; plans to return to England.

Plans to collect specimens in Java en route to Singapore and return from there to England; stores and baggage carried on previous expeditions; plans for work and accommodation on return to England.

Tells mother preparing for voyage to Rio Negro. We are first English to climb Monte Alegre. Explored remote cave, copied “curious writings on the rocks” inside. Indians dug up “water tortoise eggs” on river bank, which, with milk and farinha “made a very excellent meal.” Fired on “several immense alligators” in river. Have eaten alligator tail, parrot, and turtle. Met English botanist Richard Spruce here. Includes “enigma” riddle and a poem about “naked little children/with skins of every dye/Some black, some brown, some lighter/some white as you or I...a dozen such in family...Tis common in Brazil.

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