From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 28 February 1882

My dear George

I think we may be expecting a letter from you in a day or two. (Just got y^r famous long letter, but not read it— —). We continue to have the same very mild & pleasant weather; but we have at last had a little rain— The tennis court is very popular & they like it much better than turf. M^r Wright the parson of Keston turns out to be a good player & Frank likes him to come over— Frank leads more of a bustling life than he used to do, & it is good for him— There is his weekly practise in London, which entails his sleeping there & doing something else, & there is very apt to be something else turning up in the course of the week— The Williams are in lodging in Albermarle Street & are rather overdone with bustle. I envy him last night going to the H. of C. where he w^d hear Gladstone— The times are very ticklish & I sh^d not be surprised at the overset of the Ministry, only I can't think the Tories w^d like to come in now, except they are prepared for civil war in Ireland— Then the Bradlaugh affair is disgusting & why they did not accept his offer of lying by till an affirmation bill was brought in I can't think— It is the only just way out of the scrape— F. is pretty well but sometimes has returns of the pain that stops him walking & makes him afraid of going further than the sand walk—

He always finds it comes on when he has had no flatulence.

Bessy had a pleasant visit at the Parsons & took Bernard to the Circus— He has been acting Circus ever since & seems to like riding his Donkey better, perhaps imagining something. He had a programme written for his performance— He has also composed a piece of poetry with some measure in it, but no rhyme— I enclose a scrap to tell how they go on at Bry Sq. The maid's illness has been most unlucky & it will be such a pity if she has to give up she is so nice & gentle

yours my dear George E D—

Leo. takes up his abode in London tomorrow & enjoys the thoughts of it— Fr. likes having his horse— Frank Balfour is recovering well—