To J. S. Henslow 11 April 1833
Summary
Description of the months at Tierra del Fuego. His first sight of the primitive Fuegians. Geological and zoological observations and specimens.
The Falklands: geological and zoological observations.
Convinced the [Megatherium] sent to Royal College of Physicians [by Woodbine Parish] belongs to same formation as bones he sent home.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | 11 Apr 1833 |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 17 DAR/1/1/17) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-204 |
To W. D. Fox 23 May 1833
Summary
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.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
Date: | 23 May 1833 |
Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 46b) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-207 |
To J. M. Herbert 2 June 1833
Summary
Describes Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn; was reminded of hours at Barmouth; chafes at the length of the trip.
Hopes the Whigs will do away with slavery – has seen enough of it and Negroes to be disgusted with the lies heard in England.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Maurice Herbert |
Date: | 2 June 1833 |
Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.5) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-209 |
To J. S. Henslow 18 July 1833
Summary
Fears JSH will think his collections scanty. Makes it a constant rule to prefer obscure and diminutive tribes of animals.
Now has a servant whom he has taught to skin birds, etc.
Lists four barrels of specimens he is sending.
Gives future route. He looks forward to the western coast of South America.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | 18 July 1833 |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 18 DAR/1/1/18) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-210 |
To J. S. Henslow [20–7] September 1833
Summary
Informs JSH that a Spanish friend has offered him a cargo of bones. If they arrive, he has arranged with Edward Lumb to forward them to JSH. [Forwarded to JSH with 244.]
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | [20–7] Sept 1833 |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 19 DAR/1/1/19) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-216 |
To W. D. Fox 25 October 1833
Summary
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.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
Date: | 25 Oct 1833 |
Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 46c) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-223 |
To F. W. Hope 1 November 1833
Summary
Tierra del Fuego and the barren coasts of Patagonia are "singularly unfavourable to the insect world". In the tropics, however, CD captured minute Coleoptera by the hundreds – which should result in his bringing home many undescribed species.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Frederick William Hope |
Date: | 1 Nov 1833 |
Classmark: | Oxford University Museum (Hope Entomological collections) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-227 |
To J. S. Henslow 12 November 1833
Summary
Is sending a cargo of specimens – birds’ skins, small quadrupeds, and fossil bones.
Describes his overland trip from Rio Negro to Buenos Aires and his expedition to Santa Fé.
Asks for mineralogical works to help him with the volcanic rocks of the west coast.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | John Stevens Henslow |
Date: | 12 Nov 1833 |
Classmark: | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Henslow letters: 20 DAR/1/1/20) |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-229 |
To Susan Darwin 3 December [1833]
Summary
Has had to draw bills totalling £217 in seven months.
Is glad the Captain has decided to winter in Tierra del Fuego, because this will facilitate "glorious excursions" into the Andes.
Has obtained fragments of fossil bones and part of a Megatherium head.
Their long delay occurred because the charts were not complete for sending home.
CD is now on shore because of seasickness.
The family may not hear from him for a year.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Susan Elizabeth Darwin |
Date: | 3 Dec [1833] |
Classmark: | DAR 154: 80 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-233 |
To Caroline Darwin 30 March – 12 April 1833
Summary
Account of the four-month voyage to Tierra del Fuego, Cape Horn, and return. The Fuegians are landed with Richard Matthews [the missionary in charge of them]. Storms, seasickness, hostile savages, and scenery are described. His increasing interest in all branches of natural history makes the hardships worth while. FitzRoy buys a schooner. CD will stay at Rio Negro while it is fitted.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Darwin; Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Wedgwood |
Date: | 30 Mar – 12 Apr 1833 |
Classmark: | DAR 223 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-203 |
To Catherine Darwin 22 May – 14 July 1833
Summary
Longs to be on the other side of the Horn; tired of these countries. Natural history makes him continue. He now knows it will remain his favourite pursuit for the rest of his life.
Comments on slavery.
Will have additional space on board and a servant [Syms Covington] who will help him with the collection of birds and quadrupeds.
Asks for books, a lens, and four pairs of shoes.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Emily Catherine (Catherine) Darwin; Emily Catherine (Catherine) Langton |
Date: | 22 May – 14 July 1833 |
Classmark: | DAR 223 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-206 |
To Caroline Darwin 20 September [1833]
Summary
With the help of General Rosas, CD has just finished an overland journey from Patagones to Buenos Aires; he tells of fossil finds at Bahia Blanca and Guardia del Monte. Spring reminds him of home.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Darwin; Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Wedgwood |
Date: | 20 Sept [1833] |
Classmark: | DAR 223 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-215 |
To Caroline Darwin 23 [October 1833]
Summary
Describes his trip to north of Santa Fé, his illness, and return by boat to Buenos Aires – which he found in the throes of a revolution. Covington is cut off from the town, which some expect to be plundered.
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Darwin; Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Wedgwood |
Date: | 23 [Oct 1833] |
Classmark: | DAR 223 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-222 |
To Caroline Darwin 13 November 1833
Summary
His troubles during the revolution have ended well.
Now plans to investigate geological formations at Rio Negro. Is concerned about the expense but cannot bear to miss seeing "one of the most curious pieces of Geology".
Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
Addressee: | Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Darwin; Caroline Sarah (Caroline) Wedgwood |
Date: | 13 Nov 1833 |
Classmark: | DAR 223 |
Letter no: | DCP-LETT-230 |
Darwin, Caroline | (4) |
Henslow, J. S. | (4) |
Wedgwood, Caroline | (4) |
Fox, W. D. | (2) |
Darwin, Catherine | (1) |
Darwin, C. R. | (14) |
Darwin, Caroline | (4) |
Henslow, J. S. | (4) |
Wedgwood, Caroline | (4) |
Fox, W. D. | (2) |