Apr 27
Staring new week with reading about Charles Darwin’s life & voyage on HMS Beagle -
(Which immediately persuaded me to book tickets for a family trip to Down House, Kent !)
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Staring new week with reading about Charles Darwin’s life & voyage on HMS Beagle -
(Which immediately persuaded me to book tickets for a family trip to Down House, Kent !)
Cambridge 24 Aug 1831 My dear Darwin, Before I enter upon the immediate business of this letter, let us condole together upon the loss of our inestimable friend poor Ramsay of whose death you have undoubtedly heard long before this. I will not now dwell upon this painful subject as I shall hope to see you shortly fully expecting that you will eagerly catch at the offer which is likely to be made you of a trip to Terra del Fuego & home by the East Indies— I have been asked by Peacock who will read & forward this to you from London to recommend him a naturalist as companion to Capt Fitzroy employed by Government to survey the S. extremity of America— I have stated that I consider you to be the best qualified person I know of who is likely to undertake such a situation— I state this not on the supposition of yr. being a finished Naturalist, but as amply qualified for collecting, observing, & noting any thing worthy to be noted in Natural History. Peacock has the appointment at his disposal & if he can not find a man willing to take the office, the opportunity will probably be lost— Capt. F. wants a man (I understand) more as a companion than a mere collector & would not take any one however good a Naturalist who was not recommended to him likewise as a gentleman. Particulars of salary &c I know nothing. The Voyage is to last 2 yrs. & if you take plenty of Books with you, any thing you please may be done— You will have ample opportunities at command— In short I suppose there never was a finer chance for a man of zeal & spirit. Capt F. is a young man. What I wish you to do is instantly to come to Town & consult with Peacock (at No. 7 Suffolk Street Pall Mall East or else at the University Club) & learn further particulars. Don't put on any modest doubts or fears about your disqualifications for I assure you I think you are the very man they are in search of—so conceive yourself to be tapped on the Shoulder by your Bum-Bailiff & affecte friend | J. S. Henslow (Turn over) The expedn. is to sail on 25 Sept: (at earliest) so there is no time to be lost
After persuading my father for days, he finally let me go on the HMS Beagle! And now I am accepted to voyage on the HMS Beagle with Captain Robert FitzRoy for 3-5 years as a naturalist (Morawitz, 2005). Thank you to John Henslow for recommending me! I will now be doing what I love most!
~1831
During my years of study I met 2 amazing people. Fanny Owen my first girlfriend; the love of my life. And John Henslow my mentor and the one who recommended me to go in the HMS Beagle as a naturalist (Morawitz, 2005).
~1831