RECORD: Darwin, George Howard and Emma Darwin. [1859.05.31]. Letter to William Erasmus Darwin. CUL-DAR210.6.38. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 8.2023. RN1
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR210.6 contains correspondence of William Erasmus Darwin and family correspondence (1851-1896).
Emma Darwin's diary recorded Darwin left for Moor Park on 21 May and returned on the 28th. The Tollets were recorded as having left on 1 June. The Tollets were intimate family friends.
Darwin in his personal Journal recorded "May 25. Began Proof sheets" [or Origin of species].
"Brodie, Jannet (Jessie), c.1790-1873. 1842-51 Scottish nurse at Down House aged 49 in 1842. Came from previous service with the Thackerays and Anne Thackeray (Mrs Richmond Ritchie). 1851 Left after death of Anne Elizabeth Darwin and returned to family home at Portsoy, Scotland. Continued to visit the Darwins." (Paul van Helvert & John van Wyhe, Darwin: A Companion, 2021.)
[1]
Down Tuesday [31 May 1859]
My dear William
The Tollets are here. I'm going to stop till Wednesday because of my throat. Moor Park has done Papa a great deal of good. Yesterday I went to the big woods there are loads of fritillaries about & grizzled skippers I caught a green hair streak which is new to me and you've only
[1v]
got one. Papa is getting on very slowly with his proof sheet & gets more and more down hearted about them every day; he says he doesn't think he shall quite have finished them by the end of July. I suppose you never have time to go out now after butterflies.
Brodie came back on Saturday from the Thackeray's; she nearly killed herself by carrying a heavy bag nearly all the
[2]
way from Keston Mart, but luckily she mets Christopher somewhere near Holwood Park & he carried it or she said she'd have left it there
I remain your affect. brother
GH Darwin
[Emma Darwin:] My dear Wm
Your father & I think it will not be worth while your joining Aunt Cath. for a fortnight & you will have a
[2v]
most pleasant time with the Tutor at the lakes, Your father will write to you soon. It is puzzling to know what to do about this jolly tutor who does not seem to be over studious. He must have taken a fancy to you I think.
I took the children to the play. such rubbish a burlesque of the Maid & Magpie Lizzy cd hardly endure it. Luckily there [from page one:] was one amusing piece. I was very bad in London & mean to go no more unless from necessity. The weather is sweet. Goodbye my dear yours E D
G. has had a sore throat for nearly a week
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 15 October, 2023