Summary

Describes Patagonia and its inhabitants.

Writes of his pleasure in geology.

Predicts that Falklands will become an "important halting place". Outlines Beagle’s future itinerary.

Summary

In the past six months he has done much geology and natural history. His geological pursuits are a source of high pleasure. Has lately determined to work chiefly on corals.

Spent three weeks going up the Santa Cruz with a party; they ran out of provisions 20 miles from the Cordilleras. Winter at present prevents his doing much natural history.

Summary

Family and local news. Tom Eyton will marry. Tells of the great fire of the Houses of Parliament.

Summary

CD has recovered from his illness.

Fatigue and depression had almost decided Captain FitzRoy to turn over his command, but he was dissuaded.

Beagle will now go no further south than Cape Tres Montes and will finish survey in five months.

CD experiences his first earthquake.

Summary

Slow and tedious trip through miserable country, but geology prospers, and CD will have a good general idea of the structure of Chile by the time he leaves the country. Will send a last large cargo of specimens to Henslow.

Summary

Erasmus has received CD’s journal and two boxes; six large boxes are at Plymouth. Had feared them lost in wreck of Challenger.

News of family and friends.

Summary

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.

Summary

All prefer Hobart Town and its society to Sydney. CD’s view on emigration to colonies. All on board are homesick.

Summary

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].

Summary

News of family and friends, Harriet Martineau’s soirée; funds deposited for him.

Summary

Morning Herald had an account of CD’s 80 specimens of Mammalia and 450 birds at the Zoological Society.

John Gould has described new species in CD’s Galapagos birds.

Much interest in CD’s "Laurels".

Family news.

Summary

Hopes the Darwins in Shrewsbury will help her convince CD that he must not hurry their marriage too greatly. Sarah Elizabeth Wedgwood [II] adds a postscript to the same effect.

Summary

Describes the appearance and occurrence of imperfect flowers of "Hex.[?] Trigynia".

Summary

Emma and Doddy [W. E. Darwin] like Down. CD has met, and plans to employ, the local surgeon. "I feel sure I shall become deeply attached to Down, with a few improvements".

Summary

Describes the village of Down and the house they are thinking of buying.

Summary

Writes, while visiting the Wedgwoods at Maer and Parkfields, to thank CD for his "entertaining letter".

She misses him and the laboratory.

Asks "how Mineralogy, Botany, Chemistry and Entomology go on".

Summary

Concerned over CD’s illness. His father strongly urges him to come home lest his health be ruined.

News of family and friends.

Twelve Tories elected in Shropshire.

Summary

Family and Shrewsbury news. Visits of relatives and friends.

Summary

News of family and friends.

Caroline repeats story told to R. W. Darwin of FitzRoy’s feeling of obligation to Captain John White, from whom he gained release to marry Miss O’Brien.

Fanny Biddulph has had a son.

Summary

Family and Shropshire news.