From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 14 August [1887]

My dear George

I must look in the map where Vichy is. I hope it is nice for walks— The weather is r. cold now & we had a sprinkling of rain last night— I have written to ask Maud & Nellie & Gwen to come before Sep 1 if they can— anyhow it will be v. nice to have you all if only for a few days— I hope you will get some pleasant acquaintances.

I was amused in reading "Glimpses of Maori Land" to hear of tradition among the Maoris at Waimate, that when FitzRoy & your father visited them, the latter went into the garden to gather some sage leaves to eat w. his bread & butter. That was an old Shrewsbury custom & they often had sage leaves at breakfast.

The Litches went to Dover on Tues & crossed on Wed & travelled w. Ernest & his wife to Reims—M^rs W. looking fagged & Ernest triumphant. They meant to stay a few days at Reims & probably go on to the lake of Geneva, where are M^rs Lethbridge & her family (Millicent Bunbury)—

Leonard left Bee but poorly— They have had an agitated move from Pontresina to Maloja, about 12 miles off. After having engaged rooms at Maloja & the carriage at the door, came a tel. to say they could not poss. be taken in, & meanwhile their rooms at Pontresina were taken over their heads, however by dint of numerous telegrams they got some bad accommodation for a night or 2 & were then made more comf. It is a lovely place, but rather too gay, with balls & bands—

Sir John & Lady L. called a few days ago & brought the 2 funny little girls, with bonnets like this

They were shy & not happy— Sir John was pleasant & hopeful about politics & I studied her face & shall not now forget her again.

Leonard comes down for the Sat. & Laura & Carry W. are staying here— so I am well off till Bessy comes home on Sat next, when we shall have the Horaces & Erasmus. Poor Claud's tour was an entire failure as he had ulcers in the mouth, & was quite unequal to any walks— Effie joined our party several times & was v. pleasant, & is now back at Abinger, m. rested & finding her mother just as when she left her.

I am reading Stanley Jevons Life—a very fine character, but he never knew what it was to be young— There are several letters to you I see—

He was so introspective at 19 or 20—

The life of Susanna Wesley mother of John W. is very curious. Children in a religious family in those days must have had all enjoyment stamped out of them. She had 19 children & taught 9 or 10 of them 6 hrs a day for 20 years—w. only one maid & very poor, & the father mostly in London. I think the present education in religious families so much happier—many church services teaching school—mothers meetings &c &c but not always trembling for their souls—

It was pleasant to see Elinor so much better— She finds Eliz. Squire suit her admirably as cook—& it must be a very easy place—

When she is away Albert looks after nothing so it is a place of trust.

You might have a letter to Maud sent on to me—by way of answering this.

What pleasant fresh letters she writes— M^lle must be rather a virago by her account.

Yours my dear G | E. Darwin