From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 10 February [1882]

My dear George

Some of these letters want answering, esp. that about the British Ass. at Southampton. F. hopes you may accept it—chiefly for William's sake— Horace has written to M^r Bonny saying why you don't write & also that you will telegraph (yes or No) to us here. The Horace's came on Wed—very well (except indeed H. is not v. well) but the baby fat & well liking & placid— I feel it new & pleasant to be pottering after him— We have invited M^r Farrer & Tom tomorrow & I hope they may come. Effie is away at Caverswall, & Godfrey is much better—

W^m has had an offer from the owner to buy his house & I hope he will— I am sure he need not consider money & it is much more satisfac. Fr. Balfour is ill with either typhoid or malaria fever— It began with very bad & continuous headache & he was very ill, but the last acct is better— D^r Paget & Carver attend him & Michael Foster also comes in to hear. but I trust he is now out of danger— F. is greatly interested about fevers.

They are (who I don't know) finding out that the fever caught by wool sorters, & of which they often die, is splenic fever & therefore it may poss. be controlled.

Yours my dear George— Horace will write in a few days.

Leo. is sending his horse for Horace & Fr to ride together

yrs E. D.