From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 12 February [1884]

My dear George

Bessy & I wrote on the 8^th to Tunis— I hope we shall hear from you soon— The Horace's came to us on Sat, & we had a small dinner party of Rayleigh's & Crawley (who came to us for the Sat & Sunday) & M^r Cartmell, we did very well; but the last q^r of an hour is always just too much unless one has music or cards—

I charged Ellen who was on the other side of Lord R. to devote herself to him instead of to her rightful Squire (Horace) & she was very pleasant & agreeable— Public affairs are very painful about Egypt, & Sara says that Gordon's 2 Sisters at Southampton are terribly anxious about him.

I hear Sir Thomas F. has given up Gladstone on this question, & the Times (as no doubt you know) is in a perfect fury with him.

Miss Balfour is staying with the Sidgwicks— She has (I believe) completed the purchase of a bit of land of M^r Easton's, on which there is a house in which M^r Easton & his family are to continue to live rent free on condition of his making addition to it. Miss B. does not want the house at present— M^rs Jackson brought all her children to play about, & I was glad to see how well the twins look— They have charming little faces—Bernard was v happy patronizing the little boy, & they were all v. happy. Horace's roof, & indeed Frank's also are rising very fast. The Horace's are planning a terrace wh. causes a great deal of earth works— They have given up their skew covered way, which must be a triumph to M^r Marshall—

On Monday I am going for a week to Laura's, which will feel very mountainous— I do not go to Leith Hill Place this time as I really dread the bad fires, but I mean to go there in April. At C. cannot understand that my coming over for a few hours from Laura's wd tire me more than spending a day or two.

66 is spending a week with us wh. is pleasant— Horace is a bit better & able to go to his shop—but I am a little disappted that the op. has not had more effect—

I shall combine a few days in both Q. Anne Houses—

The poor Lushington girls are very open w. Hen. & shew her some of their mother's letters, & they come & spend the evg. with her & seem cheerful— They have begun their music again, wh. R. is afraid may be thought heartless— The Litches have been at U. Harry's at Cheltenham. Mr Juke (on an income of £600 & 9 children) has spent £1400 in changing to another house—

Goodbye my dear George

yours affectly | E. Darwin