From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 5 January [1890]

My dear George

I was v. glad to get your letter. I suppose Gwenny had never been close to a cow or a naked horse before. I rather hope you will take to Ventnor. Bournemoth is a nice place for children with those soft clean cliffs. Frank came yesterday ev^g—not very brisk as he has lumbago, one hand is still swelled, & possibly something is broken— He was well looked after by his chemist landlord, & found a g^t friendship w. a M^r Chapman. His wife he told F was a Miss Mangles (Lena's friend)   Luckily F. had forgotten all that disgraceful story & could seem quite unconscious, when he alluded to a cousin of his having known her— He invited M^r C. to come to Wychfield & bring his wife; but something in M^r C's manner made him think he did not mean to bring his wife—

Frances goes on quite well— Frank does not mean to keep such a strict quarantine but to see Ellen out of doors. Leo has got 6 weeks employment by the Board of Trade—something about the expence of the Forth bridge— It will be dull; but I am glad of it as shewing he is not forgotten—

Influenza is raging at S^t Moritz. Bessy took B. to see "A man's shadow" very exciting w. a nice murder seen thro a lighted up window. He was delighted & said w. triumph alluding to Bessy "That party was nearly crying"—

Quite a storm today—

Love to all of you—

The dry soil at Basset is so pleasant—

yours dear G— | E. D—