From W. E. Darwin to Emma Darwin [14 January 1879]

My dear Mother,

It is a nuisance day so that I have half an hour to spare this morning. On Saturday we girded up our loins and went through the snow & cold to stay with the Atherley's feeling that we must accept the 4^th invitation.

It went off pretty well, and M^rs A. took to Sara, and S. found M^rs A. pleasant though on the surface; I think M^rs A. settled that S.'s dress &c would do: We enjoyed the visit on the whole and a good conscience in the [illeg] made us enjoy extra our quiet evening last night. I think S. has been very well since her return from London, and is obeying Andrew sternly; the growing tendency to Rheumatism I do not like in our damp climate; our cellar is extremely damp, which must bring damp air into the house and I am trying to find out whether concreting or cementing it would cure it. Walter Ashburner's visit had to be cut short on Saturday because of ours to the A's; he liked his two days; he is an interesting odd boy, who never has been a boy at all; he is not 15 and is now top boy but one out of 650 boys at the University College school.

Lilly N. appeared in good spirits and talked very cheerfully about Aunt Ma^v & Aunt Amy all the evening; I took her to the boat, having secured a berth, and handed her over to a gampish old stewardess and as I left I think the poor girls spirits rather sank. If Bessy has any doubts as to the school I could find at once whether there was anything seriously wrong thro' Langstaff's brother who lives there.

I am glad Leo. is to be at Q. A. St. though I fancy both boys would be too much, what is H. going to do? Tell Geo. I was much interested in his letter as to old Rich   S. will return it today.

You know the man Hoare whom F. allowed to dedicate his D_D. D. D. book to well he came to see me in an excited state last week to present me a copy flourishing Father's letter in his hand; and yesterday he came with his printer, and wanted to borrow £50 lodging as security 400 cloth bound gilt edged copies as security! I think he was quite astonished that I would not do it. I only hope F^s friendliness has not led him to think he has written a book that all the world will rush to read;

I am afraid I shall not be up for the concert on the 21^st Sara said you thought of me for it. We go up in middle of Feb. to Anne's wedding when I may get a [illeg]. the poor thing looks so faded & thin and her Father & brother (he only aping his Father) behave like perfect brutes to her; I really think m^r A. is mindless subject. Sara has very cheerful letters from home where they are all well & have had a jolly children's Christmas   M^r Richards appeared in high spirits, and starts for England again very soon. I wrote a long letter to Theo. yesterday, having had it on my conscience for a very long time.

Our visit w Miss Williams on Sunday & Monday was very pleasant, she is such a wonderful easy hostess— We also enjoyed our lunch at the Simon's and after lunch I called at the Lushington's next door   M^r Simon said that when [Viv] L. begins complain with him he feels inclined to say that there will probably be more time to discuss the subject in the next world.

We are going to have H. Janner down soon when we hope to get Leo. if not too busy

Have you read Grants Duff's Rejoinder to S. Northcote in Fortnightly— it is most striking, and the only thing of his I can remember not being bored with.

Please thank Father for his card as to [Consols.]

My love to all | Your affect son | W E D