From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 22 August [1887]

My dear George

Thank you for your pleasant letter— I am sorry you are to lose Sir C. Newton   You don't say anything about the country— In the map some hills are within range— It will be pleasant to see you on the 4^th. I shall ask the Diceys to meet you. I hope Maud & Nellie will come some days before the 1^st & the sooner the better.

William joined us yesterday from London, having just seen off Sara & Lily in a fine steamer Count Osy to Antwerp—en route for Spa, which is an easy journey. It is dismal for Sara to fall back into her old ways of fatigue & headache so soon after her return.

Eliot Norton has been staying with them. Not a cheerful visitor as he literally never left the house except to take Lily a drive to Embley. He was nearly coming here, but found an engagement to Folkestone, which was better as he w^d have been in the way. Horace & Ida are here (H. is gone back to the shop today)   Ida & Rasmus go on to Abinger tomorrow—& then to Meta Gaskells for the B. Assoc.

Laura is spending a fortnight w. that dreadful old lady Miss T. She is nearly 91 & very deaf & has lost all consideration for other people, so that it is hard work for Laura & she becomes utterly knocked up. Leonard is to dine at Clapham & take Laura to Buffalo Bill—

Lady Derby called for the 3^rd time a few days ago, & as she had no daughter with her, she was m. more abandoned & mimicked Sir J. & Lady L's management of their children, wh. is peculiar the little girl seizing a cake & licking it & its being put back in the dish— Knole has been in danger of being burnt down. Nobody w^d have had much sympathy w. the churlish owner; but it w^d have been a natural loss. She said there had been such quarrels w. the town about shutting up the house it was thought they w^d not give assistance, however they did all they c^d. She is low about politics & thinks a wave of Gladstone is spreading. Bessy returned on Friday— She has enjoyed a great deal but it was m. damped by Bee being so unwell & often depressed— She is better & staying on w. Miss Curtis as long as she can stand it—

Yours my dear George | E. Darwin