From W. E. Darwin to Emma Darwin 5 February [1894]

My dear Mother,

Our guests came last night for Miss Beadon's wedding. We find Miss Simpson quite pleasant, & a cultivated person, & I like Rendel, but I am sorry to say he looks far from strong. The wedding is on Wednesday, so Sara will have her hands full till then.

I sent on to Hen: a letter from Mrs Langton as to a help for Ingram: if you & Hen: think we should do something for her, of course the easiest way for us, though it gives you the bother of sending a cheque once in 6 months to Mrs Langton (who would no doubt pay weekly to Ingram) would be for you to pay the pension, as it would save my having to collect from all. If you are inclined to give her some help, I would arrange it all by drawing up a cheque once in 6 months for your signature, & send to you to be signed & then send it to Mrs L. My notion is that if we gave 4/- or 5/- a week it would be ample: I cannot judge how far the Massingberds would be likely to find that they were called upon to do anything more for her than their grandfather had done.

How you must be enjoying your Times, I am almost ashamed to say that I have not read very much of the debates, as I am saving myself for the debate on the bill itself. It was rather striking that Lord Spencer should say in the house of Lords that their proposed bill would not satisfy the Irish, it seems rather a fainthearted spirit with which to begin the battle.

It was a great triumph for the 'Times' that Morley has been proved to having been doing a criminal act in declining to give police protection at any hour night or day when called upon.

I fear Leo: will not be able to run down very often to give you some House of Commons gossip.

How Gladstone & Harcourt must writhe under the necessity of their having to send more troops to Egypt.

Sara has gone to Church with Miss S. & I am just off with the dogs to meet them.

good bye dear Mother, | your affect: son, | W E Darwin