1842] Baron Humboldt 67 



Last night Charles was at the Athenseum Club to give his 

 vote for Eras, who was to be balloted for and who came in 

 triumphantly without one black ball. They have soirees 

 every Monday evening, and as all the literary and scientific 

 men in London are in the Club they must be very pleasant, 

 and I hope C. will soon be able to join them, but he is quite 

 knocked up to-day. 



The London air has a very bad effect upon our little 

 boy's v's and w's, he says his name is " Villy Darvin," and 

 " Vipe Doddy's (which is his pet name) own tears away," 

 &c. 



I am rather alarmed about America going to war with 

 us, but if it is about the right of search, or not giving up 

 the slave in the " Creole," it will be in a good cause at any 

 rate. That wicked Thiers seems trying to do all he can in 

 the way of mischief too, about the right of search. Charles 

 went to meet Baron Humboldt at breakfast at Mr Murchi- 

 son's, which he was very anxious to do, as he admires him 

 so very much. He paid C. some tremendous compliments, 

 and talked without any sort of stop for three hours, so that 

 he is not agreeable. . . . 



Charles Darwin to Emma Darwin. 



SHREWSBURY, Tuesday [March 1st or 8th, 1842]. 



... I have been telling all about Doddy and Annie, 

 and they like hearing everything. Catherine gives me up 

 altogether as a moral teacher, after I have told her of my 

 pitting Doddy to shew fight to Johnny 1 and after my 

 trying whether Doddy or J. should have last blow. Katty 

 declares she shall always say I was once a good father. 

 They think I probably misuse you very much, otherwise 

 you never could be quiet while I teach my son such pranks. 

 ... I enjoy the looks of cleanliness and freshness of every- 

 thing, and I wish you were here to enjoy them. The 

 crocuses are looking quite brilliant. Tell me all about the 



1 The Harry Wedgwoods' eldest boy. 



