From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin 6 September 1893

My dear George

We have had such muggy dull weather, that I had forgotten how pleasant a really charming day was when we had a perfect one yesterday. Hen. arrived late from Harrogate & I have hardly seen her— R. is gone larking to Worcester Music— Hen has been poorlyish ever since leaving Barmoor & gave up visits— She is almost–well now)

D^r Moore came to see me (& M^rs Parslow) on Sunday & thought me quite well. He & Bessy played croquet for some hours in the p. m. I believe he had not played for 20 years, & she not often & they found themselves much at their old level— His political opinions are vigorous— he said "I don't think the U's are nearly fierce enough— they should openly advocate civil war if they bill should pass"— His mother-in-law M^rs Leigh Smith was rather near being killed by a cricket ball in the face— The string on the ball cut an artery & she was bleeding violently for a long time no one having knowledge or presence of mind to put a finger on the place— She is recovered however—

How mild & civil W. E. G. is! just now – . . .

The debates at last were too personal—esp. Morley's speech wh. was nothing but recrimination, except the peroration wh. w^d have been fine if he had had a large majority behind him— Plunket's I suppose was the best— Here is a prosperous letter from Horace— I hope your ch. are as jolly.

Fr is gone home to work & B. to [illeg]— The Pattricks are v. comf. at the Grove—& he is better— Ethel & Harold were sketching somewhere & were warned off—& lost their umbrella in the flurry— They have both m. talent in drawing & Harold wants to be an artist which I trust will blow over as it is too risky when without any money to fall back on—

Louisa Ludwig spent a day here in her way to Hamburg— I was quite dazzled by her appearance in a well made grey poplin & I learnt that I had given it to her in 1882— I thought I remembered all my best gowns, but I had forgotten this.

My best love to Maud— I hope Gwenny will write to me again tho' I have not answered her letter. Bessy & Mildred start Northwards tomorrow—

yours my dear George | E. Darwin

Little Ernest Parslow has the scarlet fever (mildly) & we have taken every precaution sending food to Mary Anne over the Bakers wall & receiving nothing from her—

I am superstitious about Bernard & I was glad when he went— He is very pleasant & nice—& better looking than one w^d expect— He may be like Arthur Ruck who was such an ugly boy—

We intend to move to Cam. on Tues— Sep 26—& I dare say you will arrange it for us as before.