From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 27 July [1890]

My dear George

I wish I c^d invent any way of making the time pass slower while we are here. We have enjoyed the fine weather as such a novelty & the flower garden has looked pretty for the 1^st time.

I feel so perfectly at ease w. Lady Hooker that I sit & read or am silent & I feel that she is comfortable— She talks mostly about her children, but I am interested in what she says—

Tomorrow comes Louisa Lud— & the 2 young Pattricks—

Bessy was looking out for a p. m. play for them, but she cannot find one that she knows about & she does not like to risk impropriety. I shall ask the young Forrests to lawn tennis, as the P's do play. The week after we expect the Harrisons for 3 days, a much more serious undertaking, as I fancy she literally never speaks now. We shall have H. & R. & he is always tolerant.

M^r Sutherland has been very ill w. congestion of the liver. He is recovering well I believe. I have got Albert Dicey's book on the Commission. It is nice & small & cheap. If the other side would but read it! Sir J. Hooker was extremely struck by it. He is a Unionist but knew nothing whatever about the Commission. It is most judicial & moderate— I think I shall send a copy to M^r Du Puy. A little seed sown any how may do some good–-

Lady Derby & Lord Sackville & Lady M. called on Friday. The son. & d. walked in the garden   Lady D. surprized me by looking out of the window (which she has never done before) & saying "How pretty it is". She is so blind that I suppose she was struck w. the bright flowers— She was very sad about the guards. Col. Maitland is said to be a great Martinet. She was cheerful but low about politics.

I don't suppose the Times dressed up the speeches at S^t James' Hall; but the report of Hyndmans speech on the 8 h^rs question was most feeble stuff— M^r Bradlaugh seems to be an honest man—but he went into the absurdity of landlords being forced to cultivate their land—

It never comes into Frank's head to call & see me either, unless he has a reason or I am poorly— I wish it did— I find it a great pleasure the certainty that I shall see you every few days. I hear of Hensleigh going in the Bath chair to Laura's. The move has done him no harm.

I hope M^rs Parkinson had a fine day— M^r Filmer has not begun the hay yet— The next field (M^r Forrest's) was carried last week in good condition.

My best love to Maud | yours my dear George | E. D—