1835-1837] Charles Darwin s Return Rome 271 



These festivals were an immense joy to her all through 

 her youth, and in this way she heard a good deal of the best 

 music. She was calm over music, deeply as she enjoyed it. 

 But one of the very few times in my life that I saw her lose 

 her self-control was when Clara Novello sang the solo verse 

 of God Save the Queen at the opening of the Crystal Palace. 

 My mother broke down then and sobbed audibly. The 

 scene was extraordinarily impressive the standing crowd, 

 the Queen and Prince Albert present, and the wonderful 

 volume of the rich soprano voice, sustained and round and 

 full, filling the enormous building. 



Charles Darwin returned from his voyage round the world 

 in October, 1836, 



Charles Darwin to his uncle Josiah Wedgwood. 



MY DEAR UNCLE, [SHREWSBURY, Oct. 5th, 1836]. 



The Beagle arrived on Sunday evening and I reached 

 home late last night. My head is quite confused with so 

 much delight, but I cannot allow my sisters to tell you first 

 how happy I am to see all my dear friends again. 



I am obliged to return in three or four days to London 

 when the Beagle will be paid off, and then I shall pay 

 Shrewsbury a longer visit. I am most anxious once again 

 to see Maer and all its inhabitants, so that in the course 

 of two or three weeks I hope in person to thank you, as 

 being my First Lord of the Admiralty. 1 I am so very happy 

 I hardly know what I am writing. 

 Believe me, 



Your most affectionate nephew, 



CHAS. DARWIN. 



Remember me most kindly to aunt Bessy and all at 

 dear Maer. 



Caroline Darwin added on the same sheet: 



MY DEAR ELIZABETH, 



Charles is come home so little altered in looks from 

 what he was five years ago and not a bit changed in his 



1 It was, as before said, Ms uncle's influence which had induced 

 his father to consent to his joining the Beagle. 



