From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 28 March 1892

My dear George

Many thanks for your pleasant long letter from Spezia. I remember thinking the Superga a humbug & we were many hours going up in a carriage, & we thought we never sh^d arrive— Margaret's birthday was v. successful. She seemed to know all about it & bustled off her chair at once to go to Hen & receive a little doll which she began undressing at once & went to her cupboard to fetch out a little bath. Helen & Agga were excellent at games— Gwen was in great spirits— Eras. & R walked home together. The talk was much of stamps; but he was m. disappted not to have H. & Ida— poor souls they are kept at Milan by an attack of boils & eczema & the English D^r does not think it prudent to travel, tho' Horace is well eno. to go about a little—but Milan is a dull place to stay at— They will tel. when they set out. It may be some time as eczema is tedious & capricious— We have had a week of fog ev. morning, & some sun in p. m— Ellen dined w. us yesterday & was so pleasant & evidently really cheerful I think one may call her well— Fr. & Bernard return this day week—

R— went to see M^rs Jebb & luckily found her in & had a pleasant talk w. her—

Bessy had 2 pleasant days w. the Massingberds— She went w. them to a sort of performance of that stupid play the 2 gents of Verona.

They have been rehearsing for weeks & Mary & Diana looked lovely as hero & heroine, but they were the only ones who acted tol. It was got up by a Shakspeare Soc. & partly read & partly acted–- 2 brigans were in evg. dress. She goes today to M^rs Steuart at Penmaenmawr for a week— The children dined w. us on Friday—very jolly—Charley c^d not eat much for talking. Miss Clark wanted to see the whole set— R. took her about & she likes seeing things

Yours my dear G. & M. | E. Darwin

Miss Clark is a friend of the Litches living at Longton sister of Adam Clark the late parson of Longton

Saly's life of [Nap] is most interesting & the battles entirely omitted wh. suits me.