An Instinctive Passion by Charles Darwin |
In contemplating the brilliant intellectual achievements of the past, Charles Darwin's name is often mentioned. Whether you agree with his famous "Theory of Evolution" or not, Darwin's impact on the course of modern events cannot be denied. His was a life whose resonance is still being felt around the globe. It goes against the grain of common perception to think of this scientific titan galloping over the pampas of Argentina, exploring volcanic islands on horseback, and lying down to rest on the bosom of the earth with his horse nearby. Yet Darwin's diaries tell the story of not just a naturalist exploring the world searching for answers, they also reveal the inner man, the Long Rider who reveled in the freedom of riding on three continents, South America, Australia, and Africa. For as these varied diary entries explain, Charles Darwin the Scientist, soon discovered that when you are a Long Rider you often find astonishing acts of kindness awaiting you out on the long gray road to adventure.
Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil
April
6th, 1832
The
day has been frittered away in obtaining the passports for my expedition into
the interior. It is never very pleasant to submit to the insolence of men in
office. But the prospect of visiting wild forests tenanted by beautiful birds,
monkeys, sloths, and alligators will make any Naturalist lick the dust even from
the foot of a Brazilian.
April
8th, 1832
At
9 o’clock I joined my party at Praia Grande, a village on the opposite side of
the Bay. We were six in number and consisted of Mr. Patrick Lennon, a regular
Irishman, who when the Brazils were first opened to the English made a large
fortune by selling spectacles. About eight years since he purchased a tract of
forest country on the Macae river and put an English agent over it.
Communication is so difficult that from that time to the present he has been
unable to obtain any remittances. After many delays Mr. Patrick resolved in
person to visit his estate. It was easily arranged that I should be a companion
and in many respects it will be an excellent opportunity for seeing the country
and its inhabitants. Mr. Lennon has resided in Brazil 20 years and was in
consequence well qualified to obtain information.
He
was accompanied by his nephew, a sharp youngster, following the steps of his
Uncle and making money. Thirdly came Mr. Laurie, a well informed clever
Scotchman, a selfish unprincipled man, by trade partly Slave-merchant, partly
swindler. He brought a friend, a Mr. Gosling, an apprentice to a Druggist. A
black boy as guide and myself completed the party, and the wilds of Brazil have
seldom seen a more extraordinary and quixotic set of adventurers.
Our
first stage was very interesting; the day was powerfully hot and as we passed
through the woods, everything was still, excepting the large and brilliant
butterflies, which lazily fluttered about. The view seen when crossing the hills
behind Praia Grande is most sublime and picturesque. The colours were intense
and the prevailing tint a dark blue; the sky and calm waters of the bay vied
with each other in splendour. After passing through some cultivated country we
entered a forest which in the grandeur of all its parts could not be exceeded. I
was utterly at a loss how sufficiently to admire this scene.
We
continued riding for some hours; for the last miles the road was intricate, it
passed through a desert waste of marshes and lagoons. The scene by the dimmed
light of the moon was most desolate; a few fire-flies flitted by us and the
solitary snipe as it rose uttered its plaintive cry; and the distant and sullen
roar of the sea scarcely broke the stillness of the night. We arrived at the
Venda and were very glad to lie down on the straw mats.
April
9th, 1832
Having
been 10 hours on horseback, I never cease to wonder at the amount of labour
which these horses are capable of enduring.
April
11th, 1832
Travelled
on till it was dark, felt miserably faint and exhausted; I often thought I
should have fallen off my horse.
April
12th, 1832
The
next morning I cured myself by eating cinnamon and drinking port wine.
April
14th, 1832
Started
at midday for Mr. Lennon’s estate. The road passed through a vast extant of
forest in which we saw many beautiful birds. We slept in a Fazenda a league from
our journey’s end. The agent received us hospitably and was the only Brazilian
I had seen with a good expression. The slaves appeared miserably overworked and
badly clothed.
April
15th, 1832
We
were obliged to have a black man clear the way with a sword. The woods in this
neighbourhood contain several forms of vegetation which I had not seen before,
some elegant tree ferns and a grass like papyrus.
When
we arrived at the estate there was a most violent and disagreeable quarrel
between Mr. Lennon and his agent, Mr. Cowper. During Mr. Lennon’s quarrel with
his agent, he threatened to sell at the public auction an illegitimate child to
whom Mr. Cowper was much attached. Also, he put into execution taking all the
women and children from their husbands and selling them separately at the market
in Rio. How strange and inexplicable is the effect of habit and interest.
Against such facts how weak are the arguments of those who maintain that slavery
is a tolerable evil.
April
20th, 1832
Returned
by the old route to Campos Novos. The ride was very tiresome, passing over a
heavy and scorching sand. Whilst swimming our horses over the St. Joao river, we
had some danger and difficulty. The animals became exhausted and we had to
contend with two drunken mulattos in a boat. We arrived back at Rio in the
evening and were obliged to sleep on a bed of Indian corn.
Baia
Blanca, Argentina
September
7th, 1832
There were several of the wild Gaucho cavalry waiting to see us land. They formed by far the most savage, picturesque group I ever beheld. I should have fancied myself I the middle of Turkey by their dresses. Round their waists they had bright coloured shawls forming a petticoat, beneath which were fringed drawers. Their boots were very singular. They are made from the hide of the hock joint of horses’ hind legs, so that it is a tube with a bend in it. This they put on fresh and thus drying on their legs is never again removed. Their spurs are enormous, the rowels being one to two inches long. They all wore the Poncho, which is a large shawl with a hole in the middle for the head. Thus equipped with sabres and short muskets, they were mounted on powerful horses.
"I cannot agree with the man who spoke of the ten thousand beauties of the Pampas. But I grant that the rapid galloping and the feeding on beef and water is exhilarating to the highest pitch." Charles Darwin |
The
men themselves were far more remarkable than their dresses. The greater were
half Spaniard and Indian, some of each pureblood and some black.
The Indians, whilst gnawing bones of beef, looked as though they were
half-recalled wild beasts. No painter ever imagined so wild a set of expressions.
As the evening was closing in, it was determined not to return to the
vessel. So we all mounted behind
the gauchos and started a hand gallop for the fort.
This place has been attacked several times by large bodies of Indians.
The war is carried on in the most barbarous manner.
The Indians torture all their prisoners, and the Spaniards shoot theirs.
The Commandante’s son was taken some time since by the Indians.
After being bound, the Indian children prepared to kill him with nails
and small knives, a refinement in cruelty I never heard of.
A Cacique Indian then said that the next day more people would be present
and there would be more sport, so the execution was deferred and in the night he
escaped.
September
8th, 1832
The Gauchos were very civil and took us to the only spot where there was any chance of water. It was interesting seeing these hardy people fully equipped for an expedition. They sleep on the bare ground, and as they travel get their food. Already they had killed a puma, the tongue of which was the only part they kept; also an ostrich, these they catch by two heavy balls fastened to the ends of a long thong. Having given our friends some dollars they left us in high good humour and assured us that they would someday bring us a live lion. We then returned on board.