From Horace Darwin and Ida Darwin to Emma Darwin [20 April 1884?]

Dear Mother

If Razimovski was to have a cold we are so glad that he should have had it before he went to Abinger; in Bessies letter this morning she say it has gone to his head so I expect it is all right now   We got a letter from Agnes too this morning enclosing one from Rasmus himself. Our party split up yesterday morning & we are rather enjoying our quiet time when we can do exactly what we like, not that we had a very quiet time yesterday as we were out from 8.30 till 10 with only time for our meals. A good deal of this was spent shopping chiefly at the old man Hen. told us of where we saw hundreds of pounds worth of old stuffs, alter cloths & fresh garments, we have been rather extravagent but I dont think we ever repent being so; so I suppose it is all right   We also got a lot of Sabiat glass wh. is nice. Today & yesterday are & have been lovely, blazing hot & without a cloud all day yesterday, the others did not have one really fine day. We were all very happy here specially Mercy   I am sitting out in front of the hotel watching the gondolas & it is very nice whilst Ida is working away at St. Marks, but she is going to take me to do some duty in the way of pictures soon.

Yours affec son | Horace Darwin

Dear Aunt Emma,

We have tried to do our duty today as H. calls, but found pictures & ducal palace all shut up, so only went up the tower of S. Marks where we had a splendid view & the great bell just over our heads clanged out at 12 o'c wh. sounded v grand. We have just been having an afternoon siesta & mean to cut the 6 o'c table d'hote.