From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 22 March [1889]

My dear George

I am afraid you still have storms. Yesterday therm. only 35 & a furious wind with sleet— Horace & Ida put off going to Bry— Square—a worrying thing for an invalid. There is no wind today, & I hope they will go— They are thinking of the I. of Wight & a few days at Basset— They leave the children at home, as Ida is at last a good deal tired & wants some real rest— It is very perplexing for you about America; but I hope you will have more decided information. Ellen's sore throat has made her so unwell that they have almost given up all thoughts of moving at present as they have lost a week of their rather short time.

Did you read Wed. debate? & I think Sir W. Harcourt & Labouchère were more disgraceful than ever—

We expect D^r & M^rs Hort to tea— I am glad Laura is here to protect D^r Hort as he was so m. alarmed at me the only time I ever saw him—

Laura's leather work is reaching Australia. She is sending samples & instructions. They wanted her to send a teacher; but that she cannot do at present. She is going to have a secretary, as sometimes she has an accumulation of 50 letters on business.

I hope Gwenny is sharp again & that you have not a very draughty lodging. Pasting up windows does wonders some times.

Bessy is at Basset till Monday— Laura & I are v. snug— Frank dined & whisted w. us last night— By the bye he is getting so fat, too serious & not gossippy enough at present.

Here is Leonard wh. you may burn—

Hen. has had a visit of the Stanfords of 2 days, & to her surprize she likes M^rs S. She r. expected her to be so snobbish as to ignore Miss Wetton—but she talked very nicely & sympathetically about her— Joachim played M^r S.s long composition—very long & tiresome Hen thought, M^r Stanford has no tune in him & so I don't think his music can last—

W^m does not go with Sara but possibly may join her afterwards, chiefly to see Miss Ashburner once more—

Every body is delighted w. the "Humble Romance" & I am going to buy it.

Sara sails on Thursday with the Chadwick & Miller party—

M^r & M^rs Duff drink tea w. us on Wed. & the Miss D's. Bessy & M^rs Ruck go to see Hatfield on Tuesday— My best love to Maud. I hope you both get good food— I sh^d like Maud to take to porter.

yours my dear | E. Darwin

I wish you c^d borrow from him.

yours my dear | G— & M | E Darwin