Charles Darwin

by Andrew Norman

  9. Darwin, Charles, The Life of Erasmus Darwin, p.63.

  Chapter 3

  Shrewsbury School and the Reverend Butler

  In the summer of 1818 Darwin entered Shrewsbury School as a boarder, even though the school was ‘hardly more than a mile to my home’.1 Its headmaster was Samuel Butler, who had been appointed to the post in 1798 at the age of only twenty-four years, and who would occupy this position for another thirty-eight years.

  According to the school’s chronicler Basil Oldham, it was said of Butler that he

  was very much alive to the claims of moral as well as intellectual education. But in the application of the most important vehicle of it, religion, the one Shrewsbury headmaster [i.e. Butler] who became a bishop [of Lichfield in 1836] was sadly wanting. He was frankly [defeatist] in regard to the practicability of influencing boys through their religion.2

  The horror he so frequently expresses of the Evangelicals [Protestant Christians who emphasize the authority of the Bible, personal conversion, and the doctrine of salvation by faith in the Atonement],3 and the firm distinction that he draws in his sermon on Christian Liberty, between ‘a Pietist and a pious person, a Puritan and a pure person, a Religionist and a religious person’, show that his fear and dislike of religious enthusiasm were almost an obsession with him, and he probably felt that if formal services and formal religious instruction were of no avail with boys, he was not prepared to try any other methods.4

  To Darwin, Shrewsbury School was a huge disappointment. He wrote:

  Nothing could have been worse for the development of my mind than Dr Butler’s school, as it was strictly classical, nothing else being taught, except a little ancient geography and history. The school, as a means of education, to me was simply a blank.

  Nonetheless, said Darwin, ‘I was not idle, and with the exception of versification [to turn into or express in verse],5 generally worked conscientiously at my classics, not using cribs.’6 And being possessed of a good memory, he

  could effect with great facility, learning forty or fifty lines of Virgil or Homer, whilst I was in morning chapel; but this exercise was utterly useless, for every verse was forgotten in forty-eight hours.

  The only qualities which at this period promised well for the future were, that I had strong and diversified tastes, much zeal for whatever interested me, and a keen pleasure in understanding any complex subject or thing.7

  I was taught Euclid by a private tutor, and I distinctly remember the intense satisfaction which the clear geometrical proofs gave me. I remember with equal distinctness the delight which my uncle [Samuel Tertius Darwin] gave me by explaining the principle of the vernier [a small movable graduated scale for obtaining fractional parts of subdivisions on a fixed main scale]8 of a barometer.9

  Darwin tried his best to make up for these perceived deficiencies in his education in his spare time. For example, he described reading, for pleasure, the plays of Shakespeare and the poetry of Thomson, Byron and Scott.

  Early in my school-days a boy had a copy of The Wonders of the World, which I often read, and disputed with other boys about the veracity of some of the statements; and I believe that this book first gave me a wish to travel in remote countries … .

  Here, then, is an early clue as to the character of the young Darwin – someone who was always ready and willing to challenge the opinions of others.

  But it was the natural world which fascinated him most.

  I must have observed insects with some little care, for when ten years old I went for three weeks to Plas Edwards on the sea-coast in Wales. I was very much interested and surprised at seeing a large black and scarlet Hemipterous insect, many moths and a Cicindela [brightly-coloured beetle], which are not found in Shropshire.10

  From reading White’s Selbourne [a reference to the Reverend Gilbert White, clergyman and naturalist, whose Natural History & Antiquities of Selborne was published in 1879], I took much pleasure in watching the habits of birds, and even made notes on the subject.11

  Darwin also confessed to ‘collecting minerals with much zeal, but quite unscientifically …’.12 And he ‘became passionately fond of shooting’13 (i.e. game), and enjoyed angling.

  In February 1822 Erasmus (II), Darwin’s elder brother, was admitted to Christ’s College, Cambridge. That November, writing from Cambridge, he suggested to Darwin that their ‘lab’ at ‘The Mount’ might be improved by having ‘some more shelves fixed up’. This was a reference by Erasmus to a ‘fair laboratory with proper apparatus’ which he had created ‘in the tool-house in the garden’. Here, said Darwin, ‘I was allowed to aid him as a servant in most of his experiments. He made all the gases and many compounds, and I read with care several books on chemistry … .14’

  Furthermore, Erasmus informed Darwin that he had

  ordered a small goniometer [an instrument for the precise measurement of angles, especially one used to measure the angles between the faces of crystals15] so that we shall be able to separate the different [crystals] in your cab [presumably cabinet]: I have not yet procured any of the minerals you mentioned. [However] I have bought a book which will be very useful. There are directions for finding out the names of minerals &c. &c. & the rules are not very difficult. I am attending Professor Cummings’s [James Cumming, Professor of Chemistry at Cambridge University] lectures on chemistry which are very entertaining. I have written all his experiments down as far as we have [proceeded] which we shall be able to try over again.16

  A thirst for knowledge and a voracious appetite for learning were other characteristics of the young Darwin. What joy the brothers must have had together, in concocting and performing their experiments! But on the downside, said Darwin

  The fact that we [he and Erasmus] worked at chemistry somehow got known at the school, and as it was an unprecedented fact, I was nicknamed ‘Gas’. I was also once publicly rebuked by the headmaster, Dr Butler for thus wasting my time on such useless subjects; and he called me very unjustly, a poco curante [caring, but only to a small degree – i.e. largely indifferent], and as I did not understand what he meant, it seemed to me a fearful reproach.17

  In May 1823 Erasmus told Darwin, ‘I have got a few Devils toe nails [belemnites – fossilized molluscs] for you…18’ (i.e. which Darwin could add to his collection).

  About a month later, Darwin’s younger sister Emily, told him

  You have no idea how I long to seen you again my dear Charles … . How snug the Laboratory will be in Winter!! How does Mineralogy, Botany, Chemistry and Entomology [the study of insects] go on?19

  Two years later, in March 1825, Erasmus asked Darwin to ‘look in ye English Systema Vegetab [Systema Vegetabilum, published in 1783, by Swedish naturalist and physician, Carolus Linnaeus, 1707–78] & copy me out the specific description of Pinus sylvestris [Scots pine]’.20

  What can be deduced about the young Darwin, from what is known of his life to date? That he was intensely interested in the natural world; had an enquiring mind; loved to experiment, and was a great collector of specimens. However, academically, he had failed to live up to his father Robert’s expectations of him as he noted.

  As I was doing no good at school, my father wisely took me away at a rather earlier age than usual, and sent me to Edinburgh University … .21

  Both his father Robert, and his grandfather Erasmus, had studied medicine at Edinburgh University, and it was envisaged that Darwin would follow in their footsteps and become a doctor. The year was 1825 and he was now aged sixteen.

  NOTES

  1. Darwin, Francis, Autobiography of Charles Darwin, p.6.

  2. Oldham, J Basil, A History of Shrewsbury School 1552–1952, p.99.

  3. Oxford Dictionaries Online.

  4. Butler, the Reverend Samuel: Instillation Sermon at Cambridge, 1811, in J. Basil Oldham, op. cit., p.99.

  5. Oxford Dictionaries Online.

  6. Darwin, Francis, Autobiography of Charles Darwin, p.7.

  7. Ibid, p.8.

  8. Oxfo
rd Dictionaries Online.

  9. Darwin, Francis, Autobiography of Charles Darwin, p.8.

  10. Ibid, p.9.

  11. Ibid, p. 10.

  12. Ibid, p.9

  13. Ibid, pp.8–9.

  14. Ibid, p. 10.

  15. Oxford Dictionaries Online.

  16. E. A. Darwin to Darwin, 14 November 1822, The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, Volume 1, 1821–1836, pp.3–4 and note 1, Cor.1, pp.3–4.

  17. Darwin, Francis, Autobiography of Charles Darwin, p.10.

  18. E. A. Darwin to Darwin, 18 May 1823, Cor.1, p.8.

  19. E. C. Darwin to Darwin [c. June 1823], Cor.1, p.8.

  20. E. A. Darwin to Darwin, 8 March 1825, Cor.1, p.19.

  21. Darwin, Francis, op. cit., p.10.

  Chapter 4

  Edinburgh

  Having left Shrewsbury School, Darwin was rebuked by his father who told him, ‘You care for nothing but shooting, dogs, and rat-catching and you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family.1’ The question now was, would Darwin prove his father wrong?

  At Edinburgh, Darwin joined the university’s Plinian Society (founded in 1823 and named after the Roman scholar Gaius Plinius Secundus, author of Historia Naturalis, an encyclopaedia of knowledge). The society

  consisted of students, and met in an underground room in the University for the sake of reading papers on natural science [that branch of science that deals with the physical world, e.g., physics, chemistry, geology, and biology2] and discussing them. I used regularly to attend, and the meetings had a good effect on me in stimulating my zeal and giving me new congenial acquaintances.3

  He also became a member of the Royal Medical Society, ‘but as the subjects [discussed] were exclusively medical I did not much care about them4’.

  During the holidays Darwin read; took walking tours with friends, and shot ‘black-game’ (grouse) at Woodhouse, Shropshire (home of William Mostyn Owen) with William’s son Arthur, and also at Maer Hall, Maer, Staffordshire, the home of his uncle Josiah Wedgwood (II).5 Darwin declared that he was ‘attached to and greatly revered my Uncle Jos [Josiah] … . He was the very type of an upright man, with the clearest judgement’.6 Soon Darwin would have reason to be especially grateful to his uncle Josiah.

  A feature of the Darwin family was the close and loving relationship which existed between Darwin and his siblings, as illustrated by the interest which they took in one another’s activities. For example, in December 1825, Darwin’s younger sister Catherine, referring to her brother’s visits to the theatre, declared, ‘What capital luck you are in, just to fall in with all the good London performers at Edinburgh, [John] Liston, Miss [Catherine] Stephens, and [William Charles] Macready … .’7

  Darwin informed his elder sister Caroline, in January 1826 that ‘Dr Duncan is so very learned that his wisdom has left no room for his sense… .’8 This was a reference to Dr Andrew Duncan, Edinburgh University’s Professor of the Theory of Medicine, to whom Darwin was not prepared to pay homage merely on account of the former’s position and status. Later that month, Darwin wrote to his elder sister Susan, to say

  The whole family have been so very good in writing to me so often that I do not know whom to begin to thank first, so to save trouble I return my humble thanks to you all, from my Father down to little Katty [(Emily) Catherine, his sister].9

  Caroline, writing from Shrewsbury on 22 March 1826, exhorted Darwin to read the Holy Bible

  & not only because you think it wrong not to read it, but with the wish of learning there what is necessary to feel & do to go to heaven after you die. I am sure I gain more by praying over a few verses than by reading simply – many chapters – I suppose you do not feel prepared yet to take the sacrament [the service of Christian worship at which bread and wine are consecrated and shared].10

  And then, on a lighter note

  it made me feel quite melancholy the other day looking at your old garden, & the flowers which you used to be so happy watching. I think the time when you & Catherine were little children & I was always with you or thinking about you was the happiest part of my life & I dare say always will be.11

  Five days later, Susan informed Darwin that their father Robert, had misgivings about him ‘picking & [choosing] what lectures you like to attend as you cannot have enough information to know what may be of use to you’.12 This was perfectly understandable. After all, it was Robert who was funding Darwin’s education. However, the truth was that Darwin had become disillusioned with the course, as he subsequently revealed.

  I derived no advantage from the Lectures at Edinburgh, for they were infinitely dull … . I was disgusted at anatomy & attended only 2 or 3 lectures & this has been ever since an irreparable loss to me.

  Here is another illustration of Darwin’s character. It was what interested him that mattered! However, on the positive side

  Dr Grant [Robert Edmund Grant, physician and biologist] was not a Professor, but worked at zoology out of pure love, & his society was a great encouragement. I used to amuse myself with examining marine animals, but I did so solely for amusement.13

  On 8 April 1826, Darwin told Caroline, ‘I have tried to follow your advice about the Bible, what part of the Bible do you like best? I like the Gospels’.14 To which Caroline replied approvingly,

  I must say dear Charles how glad I am you have been studying the Bible – I agree with [you] in liking St John’s the best of the Gospels. I am very fond of that short Epistle of St James, as well as St Johns – I often regret myself that when I was younger & fuller of pursuits & high spirits I was not more religious… .15

  By the spring of 1827 it was clear that Darwin believed himself to be ‘on the wrong track’, as far as his studies were concerned. He wrote:

  My father perceived, or he heard from my sisters, that I did not like the thought of being a physician, so he proposed that I should become a clergyman. I asked for some time to consider, as from what little I had heard or thought on the subject I had scruples about declaring my belief in all the dogmas of the Church of England; though otherwise I liked the thought of being a country clergyman. Accordingly I read with great care Pearson on The Creed [An Exposition of the Creed, by John Pearson, Bishop of Chester, published in 1676] and a few other books on divinity; and as I did not then in the least doubt the strict and literal truth of every word in the Bible, I soon persuaded myself that our Creed must be fully accepted.16

  In other words, at this relatively early stage in Darwin’s life, he felt able to take the Holy Bible on trust and embrace it unreservedly. However, this would not always be the case.

  Darwin acquiesced, once again, to his father’s wishes, and it was decided that he should attend Cambridge University, where, at Christ’s College, he would read for a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) as a first step towards becoming an Anglican clergyman. This would, of necessity, be for a so called ‘pass degree’, rather than for the more prestigious ‘honours degree’. (In order to obtain an ‘honours’ degree it was necessary to sit for the mathematical Tripos – and mathematics was not Darwin’s strong point.17 Alternatively, an honours degree could be obtained by sitting for the classical Tripos, but only those possessed of high honours in mathematics were eligible to do this.) Here it should be noted that had Darwin remained a Unitarian, and not become an Anglican then, as a ‘dissenter’, admission to Cambridge University would not have been open to him.

  However, in order to sit for a BA pass degree a knowledge of the classics was required, and as Darwin had forgotten ‘almost everything which I had learnt’ at school on the subject, he was obliged to ‘brush up’ his classics with the help of a private tutor in Shrewsbury. This meant that his entrance to Christ’s College, Cambridge was delayed from October 1827 until January 1828.18

  NOTES

  1. Darwin, Francis, Autobiography of Charles Darwin, p.7.

  2. Oxford Dictionaries Online.

  3. Darwin, Francis, op cit., p.14.

  4. Ibid, p.15.

  5. Ib
id, p.17.

  6. Ibid, p.19.

  7. Catherine Darwin to Darwin, 4 December 1825, Cor.1, p.22.

  8. Darwin to Caroline Darwin, 6 January 1826, Cor.1, p.25.

  9. Darwin to Susan Darwin, 29 January 1926, Cor. 1, p.28.

  10. Oxford Dictionaries Online.

  11. Caroline Darwin to Darwin, 22 March 1826, Cor.1, p.36.

  12. Susan Darwin to Darwin, 27 March 1826, Cor.1, p.37.

  13. Darwin to W. T. Preyer, 17 February [1870], The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, Volume 18, 1870, pp.41–2.

  14. Darwin to Caroline Darwin, 8 April 1826, Cor.1, p.39.

  15. Caroline Darwin to Darwin, 11 April 1826, Cor.1, p.41.

  16. Darwin, Francis, op cit., pp.19–20.

  17. Ibid, p.21.

  18. Ibid, p.21.

  Chapter 5

  Cambridge

  Whilst at Cambridge, Darwin, true to form, found time to indulge in those extracurricular activities which were of particular interest to him. For example, he attended

  Henslow’s lectures on Botany and liked them much for their extreme clearness, and the admirable illustrations …

  Henslow used to take his pupils, including several of the older members of the University, [on] field excursions, on foot or in coaches, to distant places or in a barge down the river, and lectured on the rarer plants and animals which were observed. These excursions were delightful.1

  This was a reference to the Reverend John Stevens Henslow, Cambridge University’s professor of botany, about whom Darwin subsequently wrote

  a circumstance which influenced my whole career more than any other … was my friendship with Professor Henslow. Before coming up to Cambridge, I had heard of him from my brother as a man who knew every branch of science, and I was accordingly prepared to reverence him. He kept open house once every week when all undergraduates and some older members of the University, who were attached to science, used to meet in the evening. I soon got, through Fox, an invitation, and went there regularly.2