From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 4 June 1881

My dear George

We stay here till Monday July 4^th & I hope you will come as soon as you can as the place is delightful. We have not yet seen any m^ts quite so grand as the Old Man &c; but the Lake & its close surroundings are infinitely prettier than Coniston & our house is most comf. & luxurious & a little rocky shore of our own—

We came thro' from Beckley in Saloon carriage to Willesden, where Horace & Hen. joined us. Leo. had a v. bad qr. of an hr not to say 1$\frac{1}{2}$ hrs as he overheard the driver saying to the conductor, on being told he was late—"well we don't often make the junction at Willesden when we are not late"— Leo kept his feelings to himself & we did catch the express. It was all most comf. except that I am sure a saloon is more noisy than a common carr. Horace F., I & Bernard slept at Penrith, & came on next mg by boat from Pooley bridge, arriving here at 9.30. Drive to P. Bridge v. pretty & very charming on the Lake— I enclose a card as I have no doubt you can get to Penrith in time (if no the Crown is a comf Inn)

Horace was m. done up yesterday; but we went a sweet little Row in evening & I think he will soon pick up. He says your dinner party was most pleasant. B. likes the place too & has a delightful spit of shingle & mud to play on—

There are per contras in the kitchen depart^mt but Evey makes the best of them. Poor Ida suffered dreadfully at not coming

Here is Fr very jolly you may return him

yours dear G. E. D

We had blazing & delightful weather for a week at Down & till yesterday when it was not at all to complain of