Notes from Darwin's house

On Friday, Dale and I had a day to ourselves. We did laundry and relaxed all morning, and then headed out to Downe House, about half an hour's drive from the Hynes, where Charles Darwin lived for forty years.

Darwin's father had wanted him to be a doctor, but after trying to study medicine, Darwin decided against it. Then his father wanted him to be a clergyman, but Darwin decided he didn't want to do that either. When he was twenty-two, he found the opportunity to go for a long expedition on the HMS Beagle as a naturalist. His father had strong objections, which Darwin listed in one of the pictures. Here's what it says:

1. Disreputation to my reputation as a clergyman hereafter

2. A wild scheme

3. That they must have offered to many others before me the place 
of Naturalist

4. And from its not being accepted there must be some serious
objections to the [ ] or expedition

5. That I should never settle down to a steady life hereafter

6. That my accomodations would be most uncomfortable

7. That you should consider it as again changing my profession

8. That it would be a useless undertaking

Darwin was also very scientific and objective about his decision about whether or not to marry. You can see his list of pros and cons here: 

http://darwin-online.org.uk/content/frameset?viewtype=text&itemID=CUL-DAR210.8.2&pageseq=1

In particular, I like the part where he says, "object to be beloved & played with.—better than a dog anyhow."

Despite the way that sounds, he was a devoted husband and a good father. The children liked to sit on the rolling stool he used at his microscope table and use a cane to punt themselves around the room. Someone built a "stair slide," and the children loved to slide down the stairs, adjusting the angle depending upon how brave they were. 

He never had to earn a living, having come from a wealthy family, but was able to devote his life to his studies and writing. He studied barnacles for eight years, and this was such a big part of his life that one of his children, upon visiting a new child in the village, asked, "Where does your father do barnacles?"

We were fascinated to learn all about him and to see where he lived and worked. It was a gorgeous day, and the perfect outing.

That night, we went out to a wonderful Italian dinner with David and Sandra.