From Sara Darwin to Emma Darwin 9 October [1878]

My dearest M^rs Darwin,

This morning William went to Stockbridge town old country home on the Western part of this State and I leave you to imagine my perplexed state of mind. I can scarcely tell whether I am S. S. again, and cannot possibly believe that I have a far distant home in England towards which 4 weeks from today I shall again be sailing! Theodora went with William, to make this visit to some Sedgwick cousins instead of me because of the fatigue of the long journey which always wears me up. I think they will remain there till Monday visiting inumerable cousins & friends & when William goes on to Niagara Theodora will come home. It is a very great disappointment to my brother that he is so involved in work in New York that inspite of his hopes he cannot get away to make this trip with William. Arthur is bringing out a new Edition of a Law book of my Fathers "The Measure of Damages." & as it is promised for this Autumn time is of the utmost importance to him. William went off in good spirits to-day & looking well which he has not done since we landed. The sea sickness upset his digestion & made him very uncomfortable however I trust he will be quite right again before we make a second voyage, for his discomforts are far greater than anything I have to go through. I should have written to you sooner, in answer to y^r. welcome letter received here last week, but that every day I have been either busy with visitors or too tired after their departure to collect my wits for a letter. To William I fear the sociability appears almost overpowering, but when he is far away from Cambridge he will not regret that he has many friends on this side the Atlantic— His coming has given my Aunts & my family great pleasure, and if they were satisfied with my marriage before you may be sure they were doubly happy now that they know him. You and his Father will think it no vanity on my part if I dwell upon the impression that William has made here. My people feel & understand his great worth & attraction & cannot wonder that I should have abandoned them all & my country for his sake! Yet upon such a short acquaintance how little do they really know of his goodness & unselfishness.

The children are already very free with him while he feeds them much to Aunt Anne's dismay, with bonbons. Did he tell you that they were all enchanted with their gifts. They gathered round my portmanteau to witness the unpacking & great was their glee when William presented them with the mysterious little boxes. It was good fun to watch their faces— Sally was all smiles & surprise over the watch, which by the way was a happy thought of Henriettas, & Margaret's big black eyes seemed to roll in their sockets as she gazed upon her necklace.

I am very sorry to tell you that neither Aunt Anne nor Aunt Grace can return with us to England. It is decided that Aunt Anne had better not leave home in the winter & Aunt Grace cannot make up her mind to leave home during the winter months when if necessary it would be difficult to recross the ocean. It is a great disppointment to me, but I cannot urge what does not seem best for the general good. Perhaps Aunt Anne will come out to me in the spring. She is better than I expected to find her, and very active & in good spirits, but still a delicate person who has to be watched & cared for   Theodora thinks that she ought not to make the voyage as late as November   I think that she herself is disappointed for she is more English than my Aunt Grace and has a hankering always after the mother country— Aunt Grace is very lively and amuses W^m with her good stories, which are dressed up, as she herself acknowledges, by a very fertile imagination.

I find M^r Norton very much as I had expected very much broken & yet with perhaps strength enough to last for many years. poor dear lady, it is a pitiable condition to be in & for Grace the anxiety is great, but fortunately her strength holds out for all her cares— One night we dined at Shady Hill with M^r. Longfellow & two or three other friends— I was very glad that William spite of not being well, had the energy to go to Newport for two days & think he was repaid. It is a charming seaside resort where all the fashionable have houses, or take lodgings for the summer, and where people go simply to be amused & to amuse others, so that this society is gay & entertaining.

I will not end my letter without thanking you for the note I had from you before I left Basset. It was most welcome, & I have obeyed you in taking care of myself so as to make a good appearance over here. How low they think I am not yet [illeg] [illeg] for a British [matron]

With love to M^r. Darwin & all Ever y^r most affect^ate daughter, Sara D.

My love to Bessy & Henrietta