From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 25 May 1881

My dear George

Here is a letter of Sara's. W^m seems to make slow progress. I am trying to tempt him to the Lakes. How lovely Cambridge must be looking today— It is our first really warm day & we are bedding out; but it is as dry as ever. We are feeling our start very near; but with 2 such couriers as Leo & Hen. I don't mean to trouble my head about any thing. Our Sunday guests were Caroline W & Miss Tyler, a nice natural woman, with whom I had topics enough F. has got his proof sheets now & will have every thing off his mind before we start. Bernard fastened upon Leo. as if he were a sort of Dadda—

He is just gone a ride on Daisy— & Pauline has to carry a whole regiment of paper soldiers loose in her hand, as it w^d not be marching if she put them in an envelope or her pocket—

I must write about wine & ever so many things.

Frank's letters sound vigorous & spirited & I am very glad he is going to publish his mould experiments as well as the two other rival observers, who are so anxious to be first—

I am very glad you have been so hard at work. M^rs Tennant struck me as agreeable & more handsome than her daughters; but a most thoro' woman of the world— yours dear G. | E D

Our cocker the other day pousséd me à bout by his work day appearance & I pursued him besn? behind a haystack & lui donnais une partie de mon esprit avec le plus grand effet.