Shrewsbury, Tuesday [30 August 1831]My Dear Sir,Mr Peacock’s letter arrived on Saturday, 27th and I received it late yesterday
evening. As far as my own mind is concerned. I should, I think ‘certainly’, most gladly have
accepted the opportunity which you have so kindly offered me. But my father, although he
does not decidedly refuse me, gives me strong advice against going, that I should not be
comfortable if I did not follow it ... but if it had not been for my father, I would have taken
all risks ... Again I must thank you; it adds a little to the heavy, but pleasant load of gratitude
which I owe you.CH. DARWINIn the meantime, Robert Darwin probably received counsel from his daughters,
who knew how their brother was absolutely shattered by not being able to grasp this
opportunity. Having second thoughts, Robert Darwin advised his son that ‘If you can
find any man of common sense who advises you to go then I will give my consent’ and
he gave Darwin a note to take to his uncle, Josiah Wedgwood:
Charles will tell you of the offer he has had made to him of going for a voyage of discovery
for 2 years, - I strongly object to it on various grounds, but I will not detail my reasons that
he may have your unbiased opinion on the subject, and if you think differently from me I
shall wish him to follow your advice.Fortunately his uncle (and future father-in-law) thought it would do Charles no
harm as a clergyman and gentleman to have this experience and it might even make
a man of him. Josiah Wedgwood asked Charles to write out a list of his father’s
objections so that he could responded to them one by one. Prompting Charles to write
this letter to his father:
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 this
voyage. My excuse and reason is in the different way the Wedgwoods view the subject from
what you and my sisters do. I have given Uncle Jos, what I hope is an accurate and full list
of your objections and he is kind enough to give his opinions on all. The list and his answers
will be enclosed. But may I beg you one favour, it will be doing me great kindness, if you
will send me a decided answer, yes or no? If the latter, I should be most ungrateful if I did(^62) Where Australia Collides with Asia
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