From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 22 August 1892

My dear George

I was v. glad to receive your prosperous letter from Queenstown. That Wed. seems to have been very hot all over Europe— The Litches felt it v. m. at Kreuznach—esp. at night. We had the flower show that day & Sir John & Lady Lubbock called in the evg—on their way to give the prizes— I saw her for the first time w. a smile on her face, & she looked pleasant, she however left her smile behind before she gave the prizes— Sir John made a neat little speech— I tried to extract politics from him but he knew nothing.

We heard more from a Miss Walsh, niece of M^rs Sutherland, who called yesterday She is often w. her married sister who lives at Harwarden. All the inhabitants are Conserv. She says that W. E. G. looks very old & v. wicked & to my surprize short. She plays the organ sometimes. One day one of the strangers who always fill the church offered her 2/6 if she might take away one of the paper marks placed in the Bible when W. E. G. reads the lessons. Miss Walsh told her to take it & put 2/6 in the collecting box— M^rs G. is very much liked; but W. E. G's politics are m. disapproved—

D^r Moore came on Friday to see me & it finished the Pattricks visit brilliantly he was so entertaining. He sat up late w. M^r P. thro' 2 or 3 pipes. He relaxed my diet a little in the way of potatoes to my g^t satisfaction. M^r Pattrick's good manners are a model & appear just as m. to Camilla as to me. I forgot to say how the best feelings of my heart were gratified in comparing the little Lubbock girls w. my grand children esp. Gwenny. I am obliged to own however that little Harold is pretty, but not childlike in his looks–- They were all most pretty behaved. One of the girls is Irene— a pretty name— The accounts of the labour troubles in America sound alarming here; but I dare say when you there you will not hear m. about them America is so big.

No fresh news about the petition against Leo. & I am afraid it must hang over their heads till Nov.

We have not heard from them after the Rugeley dinner on that hot Wed.

My best love to Maud & will you give my kindest remembrances to Mr & M^rs Dupuy— I hope you will find him pretty well | yours my dear George

E. Darwin

You will not be alarmed at my black edged enevelopes— They are the handiest I have.

I am very glad the children have got such good neighbours in the Roughs