From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 17 August 1884

My dear George

I had a very pleasant letter from M^rs Jebb, in which she promises to come & see us here, which we shall much enjoy. She speaks of M^r Jebb having been so much pleased with every thing in America, & having enjoyed himself so much— I forgot whether I told you how very unwell Claud has been at Abinger. He played in a Lawn Tennis tournament (one day in the rain) & after it was over the next day he returned in a great state of exhaustion & an attack of inflam. of lungs came on. The last acct yesterday was alarming from his weakness & the inflam. & pleurisy not having been conquered— I dare say the attack might have come on at all events; but it is a great aggravation to think that it posibly might have been prevented by prudence. (I rejoice to say he is m. better by todays acct). I am engaged in warfare with Mr Ducker the schoolmaster, having discovered that his habitual method of teaching is very brutal; caning pretty severely for a wrong sum bad dictation or blotting a copy book— He has been reprimanded several times & is under an engagement to put down in his Log book every punishment. This he has neglected to do; but £.s.d. comes into the question, as he keeps up the reputation of the School & gets a grant, & so he will not be dismissed this time.

I wrote to Sir John; but he said in answer that he was so little at home he c^d not judge. M^r Forrest is very zealous, & is to call a meeting & insist on Sir John coming. The next time any flogging for such causes takes place I shall refuse to pay the school rates, if he is not dismissed, & Mr F. says he shall do the same. I am very friendly w. M^rs Ducker who teaches Bernard, wh. makes it rather disagreeable.

I am come to the opinion that a governess is now necessary for Bernard. He went into a furious passion 2 days ago over a game of cricket, & I felt perfectly helpless in the matter & that he wanted a strong hand over him. He was a long time recovering, sometimes saying "I am awfully sorry G–mamma & then relapsing"— None of you ever was in such a rage—so I think it is the strong Ruck temperament appearing— Leonard says that the amiable Dickie used to go into great rages. We had Mr Fraser for 2 days—very amiable, but brimful of vanity & so artificial— He devoted himself to Leo—who listened to him by the hour— Leo & Bee went off to Ireland to Sam Fraser in order to get their visit over before he came there. I am sorry to hear however that M^r Fraser followed them on Friday— Col. Fraser is most excellent & kind to him, but it makes him quite thin to be much w. his father— Perhaps Leo. w^d like that effect in his own case— I hope I shall have a letter from you soon— The summer keeps on one blazing day after another & I generally feel very dead. Your pleasant letter of Aug 2 from Detroit just come in— I must look at the map. We shall certainly be here till Oct. & shall rejoice to see you & Maud about Sep. 21.

yours my dear old | man E. D—

The lawn is quite brown & water in the village beginning to fail— I think we may consider Claud safe thro this attack— Horace has been backward & forwards to Abinger & is better