Volume Ten - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Even more aspects - Darwinian Connections . . .

The Sydney Morning Herald [339] in November 1875 made comment about his book : Impressed with the ignorance and moral degradation which prevailed in that land, he says in the preface to the volume, "he would rejoice if his book should be the means of inducing some of the missionary societies to send some light of the Gospel to a country over which thick darkness is brooding."

1838 - As stated, John Hawkshaw's book was published during 1838 this being the same year that Charles Darwin was appointed Secretary of the Geological Society of London founded 1807. Later that year, John Hawkshaw was elected to the Society and it is thought that their experiences would have given them much in common and that it seems likely that a firm relationship between them was established.

1851 - The Hawkshaw family moved from Salford, Manchester, to Westminster, London, during 1851 and spent Whitsuntide at Tunbridge Wells. Two sons of John, Clarke and Harry rode their ponies and stayed a night at the home of Charles Darwin at Down. Their former teacher and governess, Miss Pugh, by this time was employed by the Darwin family and would have undoubtedly been very happy to see her one-time pupils.

1862 - Charles Darwin was in fact the grandson of Josiah Wedgwood who created the famous Staffordshire pottery empire and in June 1862 the family connections were further cemented when John Hawkshaw's eldest child, Mary married Godfrey Wedgwood a great-grandson of Josiah. Both before and afterwards there were a number of inter-family marriages which enhanced the long-standing Hawkshaw, Darwin and Wedgwood family connections.

Charles Darwin's Investment Book records that commencing during 1862, he invested £2,000 (equivalent to c.£245,000 in 2019) in the Penarth Harbour, Dock and Railway Company. Presumably contact and discussions with John Hawkshaw at an after-meeting drink, with cigar, perhaps at the Geological Society which may well have provided the opportunity to discuss investment opportunities!

1863 - A letter dated 10th June 1863, addressed to Booth Bacon, the Secretary of the Penarth Harbour, Dock and Railway Company, references a letter received from Charles R. Darwin and relates to his letter to them of a few days earlier concerning shares which Mr Bacon confirms 'I will place before the Directors on Monday next'. [756]