Journal of Researches into the Natural History and Geology of the countries visited during the voyage OF HMS BEAGLE round the world, under the command of Captain Robert Fitzroy, RN, Second Edition, published by John Murray, London, 1845
Date1845
Object number00006760
NameBook
MediumInk on paper, covered boards
DimensionsOverall: 42 x 183 x 134 mm, 0.55 kg
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA book by Charles Darwin titled 'Journal of Researches into the Natural History and Geology of the countries visited by HMS BEAGLE round the world, under the command of Capt. Robert Fitzroy, RN.' Second edition published by John Murray, London, England, 1845.
Flypage features handwritten inscription in pencil reading "Bought at the Scotwell House sale, formerly the residence of Admiral Lort Stokes. This is one volume of a set, most of which had the Admiral's signature. Annotations at the end of the book suggest this was the Admiral's personal copy.
HistoryThe lengthy second voyage of the BEAGLE is notable not so much for its hydrographic achievements, as extensive as they were, but for the research of its young passenger, Charles Darwin. On the basis of his observations in the Galapagos Islands and elsewhere Darwin was, in the words of Thomas Huxley, to provide "a foundation for the entire structure of modern biology'.
As well as Darwin the officers and crew are a fascinating group, many of whom were to have later Australian associations: the commander Robert Fitzroy later Governor of New Zealand, John Wickham, first lieutenant, served on BEAGLE's third voyage and then as an officer at Moreton Bay, Augustus Earle and Conrad Martens were the artists, Philip Gidley King was a midshipman and Syms Covington, “fiddler and boy to the poop cabin" who later emigrated to Australia and became the Pambula postmaster.
Darwin himself had strong Australian links. His grandfather Erasmus wrote the ode Visit of Hope to Botany Bay, his uncle Josiah Wedgwood created the Sydney Cove medallion. Chapter XIX is devoted to Australia, visited in January and February 1836. Darwin is a shrewd observer of Sydney, and an interested if unsympathetic commentator on the Australian landscape. He writes "wherever the European has trod, death seems to pursue the Aboriginal". After his stay in Tasmania, he grimly prophesises the devastation that would occur there to the Indigenous people and to the native flora and fauna. Darwin concludes of Australia, "you are too great and ambitious for affection, yet not great enough for respect".
Darwin's book was a great success when published in 1839. It was revised and republished in 1845. The author was later to remark how "the success of this my first literary child always tickles my vanity more than that of my other books."
This particular edition of Darwin's book belonged to John Lort Stokes (1812-1855) who had a remarkable association with the BEAGLE. Stokes sailed with Darwin on the BEAGLE (1831-1836) and later commanded the vessel in Australian waters (1837-1843). He wrote an account of his experiences in Australia entitled Discoveries in Australia (London 1846, 2 Vols.) Stokes was away when Darwin was first published and he then acquired the second more available edition. A number of the Australian passages are underlined. Stokes' books were sold in 1960 when his granddaughter died and the family estate, Scotchwell in Wales, was sold.
SignificanceWhile the significance of Charles Darwin’s work upon HMS BEAGLE changed modern thought, this particular edition of 'Journal of Researches into the Natural History and Geology of the countries visited by HMS BEAGLE round the world, under the command of Capt. Robert Fitzroy, RN' is particularly relevant, having belonged to Admiral Lort Stokes who himself, became synonymous with HMS BEAGLE.
