From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 17 January [1884]

My dear George

I was glad to get your letter— I wish you knew more people in Paris— It must be a curious experience to get among such an odd set as the D'Abbadie's— you don't mention the Crafts. The accounts of Mrs Lushington continue better except for the delirium but the Leos thought it w^d be an umcomf. time to be with the Litches while they are so anxious & they have gone home till Monday   M^rs L. would be a daily loss to Hen. She is so sympathetic & bright & affectionate & so the poor girls their lives w^d be utterly spoilt for a long time—

Horace is m. better & he & Ida walked to Goldstone Bottom to see the Bakers, who had the same warmth of welcome & the same rich plum cake they always used to be provided w— Ida was surprised at their knowing all about Horace's belongings   The Fosters had left them.

H. & Mercy taking to the tricycle together. I am afraid Brighton has not done m. for Sara— they all go home on Monday. Little William found his 1^st days work very hard; but he is quite up to it now, & thought it an honour for M^r Dew to shew him something about photog. He comes every other day to French.

Bernard is v. persevering in printing his stories wh. he does v. neatly & luckily is ambitious to spell rightly, so it is an excellent lesson for him. He was overhwelmed w. grief the other day at a diappt about riding w. his governess Miss Smith & c^d not get over it for some time—

The wood is gradually being carried off— I shall be curious to see what we gain compared w. the expence of felling—

Goodbye my dear old man

weather still very mild the thrushes are voiciferous all day

y^rs E. Darwin