Darwin was a person, just like us.
Incredibly, we live in a world where you can read his words.
Below, his diary starts with an agonizing kerfuffle.
You can read the library of the Beagle.
If you are literate in six languages.
125 English titles
38 French
9 Spanish
7 German
1 Latin
1 Greek
If anyone wants to take a run at the Latin or Greek text as a group or team, the only requirement is that you don’t know either. lol
Lastly, I wanted to mention, Charles saw love in the animal kingdom. At this point we all understand what happens to unacceptable ideas. But now it’s there in his words.
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Charles Darwin's Beagle Diary
1831–1836
[page] 3
I had been wandering about North Wales on a geological tour with Professor Sedgwick when I arrived home on Monday 29th August. My sisters first informed me of the letters from Prof. Henslow & Mr Peacock offering to me the place in the Beagle which I now fill.
I immediately said I would go; but the next morning finding my Father so much averse to the whole plan, I wrote to Mr Peacock to refuse his offer.
On the last day of August I went to Maer, where everything soon bore a different appearance.
I found every member of the family so strongly on my side that I determined to make another effort.
In the evening I drew up a list of my Fathers objections, to which Uncle Jos wrote his opinion & answer. This we sent off to Shrewsbury early the next morning & I went out shooting.
About 10 oclock Uncle Jos sent me a messuage, to say he intended going to Shrewsbury & offering to take me with him.
When we arrived there, all things were settled, & my Father most kindly gave his consent.
I shall never forget what very anxious & uncomfortable days these two were.
My heart appeared to sink within me, independently of the doubts raised by my Fathers dislike to the scheme. I could scarcely make up my mind to leave England even for the time which I then thought the voyage would last. Lucky indeed it was for me that the first picture of the expedition was such an highly coloured one.
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http://darwin-online.org.uk/BeagleLibrary/Beagle_Library_Introduction.htm