Category Archives: Travel Books

Darwin Day

Charles Darwin b. 12 February 1809

It was almost 2 years ago that I last posted about Charles Darwin, on “Evolution Day” back in 2024. I had read the Origin previously, as well as the Voyage of the Beagle, but subsequently I delved into Darwin’s biography, the life and times that followed that epic voyage, and the prior and post history of the HMS Beagle, a fascinating story in itself.

I cannot imagine a greater confluence of scientific debate and discovery that ever exploded onto the scene than what was happening during Darwin’s lifetime. It was inevitable that someone would figure out that life evolved, had Darwin not written his book, and of course Wallace was thinking the same thing at the exact same time, but Darwin did write his book, and so he gets much of the accolades, for good reason. What makes Darwin even more astounding is that he pondered the evidence for so long, studying all of his collections and notes, and was further distracted by other topics and discoveries for decades after his return from five years on the Beagle. If only more people kept their mouths shut for twenty years until they had something of value to say!

Back in 2024, I had coincidentally been working on a song about Darwin, which was unfinished at that time. Subsequently I finished it and now, in honour of Darwin’s birthday, I present it, with humble respect. I suppose I should have waited 20 years, but time waits for no one, as we all know.

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Saints Alive!

Another HV Morton arrived in the mail today, from the UK. This one is entitled In Search of Ireland, and it was published in 1930. Eagerly inspecting the photos, I came across one depicting the town (village?) of Glendalough, a place associated with St. Kevin, one of the patron saints of Ireland. How the world has changed since 1930. I wish I could return to that time, if only to see the places Morton saw before they were ruined by cars, roads, wars, developers and overgrowth. What would this view show us today?

Glendalough, the place with 2 lakes

I’ve never had the pleasure of visiting the Emerald Isle, so for now I will content myself with the book. Morton brings to life the places he visits, which explains the fact that this volume is from the 16th printing in 1943. It is not an autograph edition, at least not by the author, but autographed nevertheless, by Lt. L.W.H. Pollard, R.N.R. He must have been proud of his rank, that chap.

In keeping with the design themes that Morton’s books followed, this book is bound in green cloth and has a shamrock cluster embossed on the front cover. How Irish!

I wonder what the girls of Connemara look like today? Ripped jeans, leaning on a Tesla?

Two Connemara girls

Last Christmas I bought my wife a bottle of Glendalough Irish Whiskey, and that is how I learned about St Kevin. History from whiskey bottles. I used to read cereal boxes, but they didn’t have much to teach, and never anything about saints.

Glendalough, the whiskey

Every Morton book of travel includes maps showing where he went. In this case he went all around Ireland, hitting most of the well known spots. Ireland isn’t that large, so I suppose Morton could scarcely have done less travelling and gotten enough material for a book.

Map inside the covers

Now to finish up reading Morton’s “In The Steps of St Paul”, so I can delve into Ireland of 1930!

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