September 19, 2008

As Darwin watches the preparation of the H.M.S. Beagle, he gets (understandably) excited.

It also turns out that Captain FitzRoy was popular with the ladies. Darwin fears that he will get seasick on the voyage; it happens to everyone. Little did he know how bad it would be, and that raisins were all he could eat for weeks.

In the second paragraph, Darwin writes of his admiration for “a Mr. Harris.” William Snow Harris was known as “Thunder and Lightning Harris” for his work making electrical conductors for ship masts. These conductors ran down the mast and discharged lightning through the hull of the ship. He was eventually knighted in 1847 for this, but the Russians adopted it way before the Brits. in 1845, he got some special gifts from the Tsar for his work.

Thunder and Lightning Harris, huh? What an appropriate name to feature on Talk Like a Pirate Day.

12 November, 1831

My dear Caroline,

The tutor’s bill is just as I expected—and I will contrive some plan through Henslow.—Most unfortunately Henslow has just lost his brother, so I do not like at present to trouble him.—

Everything here is most prosperous; the Beagle now looks something like a ship— They have just painted her and in a weeks time the men will live on board.— No Vessel has ever been fitted at all on so expensive a scale from Plymouth— I get into a fine naval fervour whenever I look at her. I suppose she is as good a ship as art can make her—and if I believe all I hear the Captain is as perfect as nature can make him— It is ridiculous to see how popular he is, ladies can hardly splutter out big enough words to express their big feelings—

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The writer’s life hasn’t changed much.

Move to the big city, live in a tiny apartment, and get dragged down by all the distractions and frustrations that accompany this process.

When I moved to New York, I had the same demoralizing situation; jobless for several months; interning for free.

So I can relate to Darwin’s buddy from Cambridge, Henry Matthew. Henry was president of the Cambridge Union. The guy had some serious brains. But when he went to London to make it as a writer, things didn’t quite work out, and Darwin had to send him a little cash at one point. His drinking and persistent letters from his wife didn’t help.

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September 5, 2008

What do you pack for a journey around the world?

Well, if the year is 1831, guns. Lots of them.

Charles Darwin wrote his sister Susan 177 years ago tomorrow with a packing list for the H.M.S. Beagle voyage, and fears that he’s a bother for asking for more and more stuff. Or maybe that’s just Victorian manners, hard at work.

Eight shirts? Make that twelve. He needs his microscope, good shoes, and taxidermy guide. Oh, and pack that microscope in cotton.

Captain FitzRoy advises that he bring a case of pistols, and assures Darwin that guns are the one thing never to skimp on.

In other news, Darwin-mania can only grow; as a new movie is in the works.

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August 29, 2008

Daddy! I wanna go on the boat!

The fateful decision is made September 1: Charles Darwin will indeed sail on the Beagle.

Here’s some back-and-forth between Charles, his father, and Francis Beaufort, British Royal Navy Captain and hydrographer. Beaufort approved Darwin for the voyage, and his Wikipedia entry alone is testament to how interesting a figure he is.

Darwin writes his dad Robert Waring Darwin, begging (this is not the first time he’s pressed the issue) to be allowed to go. He’s right out of Cambridge, by the way.

He’s got his uncle’s responses to Dad’s concerns enclosed in the letter. This uncle, Josiah Wedgwood, would later be his father-in-law.

To Robert Waring Darwin, 31 August [1831]

[Maer]
August 31

My dear Father
I am afraid I am going to make you again very uncomfortable.— But upon consideration, I think you will excuse me once again stating my opinions on the offer of the Voyage.— My excuse & reason is, is the different way all the Wedgwoods view the subject from what you & my sisters do.—

I have given Uncle Jos, what I fervently trust is an accurate & full list of your objections, & he is kind enough to give his opinion on all.— The list & his answers will be enclosed.—But may I beg of you one favor. it will be doing me the greatest kindness, if you will send me a decided answer, yes or no.— If the latter, I should be most ungrateful if I did not implicitly yield to your better judgement & to the kindest indulgence which you have shown me all through my life.— …

After the jump: the reasons that Daddy Darwin was reluctant to allow Charles to go.

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This letter comes from Evolution

Charles on the American Civil War

Darwin writes the great American botanist Asa Gray during a turbulent point in American history.

Darwin’s feelings on slavery were very pronounced; ever since his Beagle voyage saw witness to a great deal of slave brutality.

The Maryland slaves that he refers to were not freed, since the state had not seceded from the Union.

Check it out, after the jump!

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