Volume I Part 17 (2/2)

God bless you, my very dear old Herbert May you always be happy and prosperous is my most cordial wish

Yours affectionately, CHAS DARWIN

CHARLES DARWIN TO F WATKINS Monte Video, River Plata, August 18, 1832

My dear Watkins,

I do not feel very sure you will think a letter fro; I write therefore on the selfish principle of getting an answer In the different countries we visit the entire newness and difference froland only serves to hts In consequence the pleasure of thinking of, and hearing froreat Recollect this, and so account of yourself and our friends; both what you have, and what [you] intend doing; otherwise in three or four ers tohow le”has well repaid the necessary trouble and loss of comfort We stayed three weeks at the Cape de Verds; it was no ordinary pleasure ra over the plains of lava under a tropical sun, but when I first entered on and beheld the luxuriant vegetation in Brazil, it was realizing the visions in the 'Arabian Nights' The brilliancy of the scenery throws one into a deliriuht, and a beetle hunter is not likely soon to awaken from it, hichever way he turns fresh treasures meet his eye At Rio de Janeiro three htful excursion during this time of 150 miles into the country I stayed at an estate which is the last of the cleared ground, behind is one vast iine the quietude of such a life Not a hu within soloo trunk, and then think of ho some trouble for

We are at present in a le walk over the undulatory turf plain shows everything which is to be seen

It is not at all unlike Cae, tree and hill must be leveled, and arable land turned into pasture All South America is in such an unsettled state that we have not entered one port without so over our heads; it is a noise I had never before heard, but I found I had an instinctive knowledge of what it meant The other day we landed our men here, and took possession, at the request of the inhabitants, of the central fort We philosophers do not bargain for this sort of work, and I hope there will be no more We sail in the course of a day or two to survey the coast of Patagonia; as it is entirely unknown, I expect a good deal of interest But already do I perceive the grievous difference between sailing on these seas and the Equinoctial ocean In the ”Ladies'

Gulf,” as the Spaniard's call it, it is so luxurious to sit on deck and enjoy the coolness of the night, and admire the new constellations of the SouthI wonder e shall ever reater pleasure than to see you again, and talk over the long tiether

If you were to meet me at present I certainly should be looked at like a wild beast, a great grizzly beard and flushi+ng jacket would disfigure an angel Believe s of friendshi+p

Ever yours, CHARLES DARWIN

CHARLES DARWIN TO JS HENSLOW April 11, 1833

My dear Henslow,

We are now running up froro (or Colorado) The ”Beagle” will proceed to Monte Video; but if it can beat the former place It is now some months since we have been at a civilised port; nearly all this tio It is a detestable place; gales succeed gales with such short intervals that it is difficult to do anything We were twenty-three days off Cape Horn, and could by no ave up the attempt was unusually severe A sea stove one of the boats, and there was so much water on the decks that every place was afloat; nearly all the paper for drying plants is spoiled, and half of this curious collection

We at last ran into harbour, and in the boats got to the west by the inland channels As I was one of this party I was very glad of it

With two boats ent about 300and seeing ians are in a more miserable state of barbaris In this inclement country they are absolutely naked, and their tehs of trees I do not think any spectacle can be ht of man in his priined until it is experienced

I shall never forget this when entering Good Success Bay--the yell hich a party received us They were seated on a rocky point, surrounded by the dark forest of beech; as they threw their ar, they seemed the troubled spirits of another world The climate in some respects is a curious ards the anidom, the former character prevails; I have in consequence not added y of this part of Tierra del Fuego was, as indeed every place is, toThe country is non-fossiliferous, and a co to e, strata, etc, etc, was y, however, of some of the rocks will, I think, be curious froin

After leaving Tierra del Fuego we sailed to the Falklands I forgot to ians e took back to their country

They had become entirely European in their habits and wishes, so e, and their countrymen paid but very little attention to theardens, but by the tie round the Horn, I think it will be very doubtful how much of their property will be left unstolen

When I ahest consolations to picture the future e again shall be pacing together the roads round Ca way off

We have another cruise to e round the world will really coe schooner of 170 tons Ina consort--perhaps it may somewhat shorten our cruise, which I most cordially hope it may I trust, however, that the Coral Reefs and various animals of the Pacific may keep up my resolution Remember me most kindly to Mrs Henslow and all other friends; I am a true lover of Alma Mater and all its inhabitants

Believe ed friend, CHARLES DARWIN