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Darwin Correspondence Project

To John Murray   [6 June 1845]

Down Bromley Kent

Friday

Dear Sir

I sent the M.S. to you yesterday. I write now to tell you, that I find so much to add about the Fuegians,1 & consequently so much more to condense & almost rewrite in the scientific part, that I cannot help fearing that possibly I may not have the second number ready having to correct press of 1st number for press at the end of this month. I think I shall, but not being sure, I thought it wd be better not to take you by surprise. It will depend on my health, which lately has been very good; I earnestly wish to complete it as soon as possible. I shall be able to judge certainly by the 20th of this month:

I presume you have something else which, if required, cd. come out, between two of my numbers

Yours very faithfully | C. Darwin

Footnotes

Because Robert FitzRoy had given an extended description of the Fuegians in Narrative 2: 175–224, CD elected to say little about them in the first edition of the Journal of researches. Much of the material introduced into the second edition was based on FitzRoy’s account.

Bibliography

Journal of researches: Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by HMS Beagle, under the command of Captain FitzRoy, RN, from 1832 to 1836. By Charles Darwin. London: Henry Colburn. 1839.

Narrative: Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty’s ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1836. [Edited by Robert FitzRoy.] 3 vols. and appendix. London: Henry Colburn. 1839.

Summary

Has sent off MS of first part [of Journal of researches, 2d ed.]. Has so much to add about Fuegians [at beginning of second part] and so much to condense and rewrite in scientific part that he may not have second part ready at end of month; it depends on his health, which is good lately.

Letter details

Letter no.
DCP-LETT-876
From
Charles Robert Darwin
To
John Murray
Sent from
Down
Source of text
National Library of Scotland (John Murray Archive) (Ms.42152 ff. 29–30)
Physical description
ALS 3pp

Please cite as

Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 876,” accessed on 18 April 2024, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-876.xml

Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 3

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