From Emma Darwin [c. February 1839]
Summary
Discusses CD’s religious doubts. Fears his work may lead him to discount what cannot be proved, and advises that there are some things which, "if true are likely to be above our comprehension" and "that there is a danger in giving up revelation".
Author: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [c. Feb 1839] |
Classmark: | DAR 210.8: 14 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-471 |
To Emma Wedgwood 2 [–3 January 1839]
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.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
Date: | 2 [–3 Jan 1839] |
Classmark: | DAR 210.8: 10 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-481 |
From Emma Wedgwood [3 January 1839]
Summary
Emma is surprised how quickly CD has moved into the new house and understands his feeling of triumph. Wants him and Fanny [Mrs Hensleigh] Wedgwood to settle on hiring a cook.
Is reading Mansfield Park [Jane Austen (1814)], which she finds "very suitable".
Author: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [3 Jan 1839] |
Classmark: | DAR 204: 158 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-482 |
To Emma Wedgwood [6–7 January 1839]
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.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
Date: | [6–7 Jan 1839] |
Classmark: | DAR 210.8: 11 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-484 |
From Emma Wedgwood [7 January 1839]
Summary
Still rejoices in having found the house they like.
Thinks he might enjoy Jenny [Jane Welsh] Carlyle’s company more away from Carlyle "as she must have her full swing in talking".
Says the wedding must be fixed for the 29th instead of the 24th.
Hopes he will look better than on his last visit.
Author: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [7 Jan 1839] |
Classmark: | DAR 204: 159 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-485 |
From Emma Wedgwood [9 January 1839]
Summary
Glad to have his letter; supposes she will receive only two or three more from him in her life.
Thinks he should leave the curtains for her.
Discusses Mungo Park and Sir Walter Scott’s Life.
Author: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [9 Jan 1839] |
Classmark: | DAR 204: 160 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-486 |
To Emma Wedgwood [20 January 1839]
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."
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
Date: | [20 Jan 1839] |
Classmark: | DAR 210.8: 12 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-489 |
From Emma Wedgwood [20–1 January 1839]
Summary
Preparations for the wedding, various callers, and other bits of news.
Author: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [20–1 Jan 1839] |
Classmark: | DAR 204: 161 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-490 |
From Emma Wedgwood [23 January 1839]
Summary
Responds warmly to his very nice letter. CD need have no fear that she will not be as happy as he.
Again expresses uneasiness that their opinions on religion do not agree on all points. Hopes they will sympathise in their feelings on the subject.
Author: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Date: | [23 Jan 1839] |
Classmark: | DAR 204: 162 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-492 |
To Emma Wedgwood [26 January 1839]
Summary
He has the wedding ring. Agrees to coming straight home after the wedding, if that is what she prefers.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
Date: | [26 Jan 1839] |
Classmark: | DAR 210.8: 13 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-493 |
To Alphonse de Candolle 25 May [1839]
Summary
Invitation to dine at the Darwins’ with J. S. Henslow.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin; Emma Wedgwood; Emma Darwin |
Addressee: | Alphonse de Candolle |
Date: | 25 May [1839] |
Classmark: | Archives de la famille de Candolle (private collection) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-512 |
Darwin, Emma | (7) |
Wedgwood, Emma | (7) |
Darwin, C. R. | (5) |
Darwin, C. R. | (6) |
Darwin, Emma | (4) |
Wedgwood, Emma | (4) |
Candolle, Alphonse de | (1) |
Darwin, C. R. | (11) |
Darwin, Emma | |
Wedgwood, Emma | (11) |
Candolle, Alphonse de | (1) |