From W. E. Darwin to Emma Darwin [5 December 1875?]

My dear Mother

I am in very top [illeg] Society today— Lord Shaftesbury & son & Lord & Lady Granville.

It is not the least stiff and I do not feel a fish out of water except that of course I cannot join in the conversation much.

Lord Shaftesbury is very amusing—& Lady Granville I fancy a celebrated beauty. It is extremely kind of the [illeg] [illeg] having me over again but they thought I wanted some more hints from a Miss [illeg] who is recovering here after an accident.

She is one of Miss Octavia Hill's District Visitors & thoroughly up in the subject.

It is a funny Psalm singing house, with a medium on the premises or a Clairvoyant of course no spirituation is done before [illeg]

6.30. PM They have just done singing with all the servants in the dining room & M^r [C I] & Lord Shaftesbury have just come in from a [bitter] cross in Romsey   I feel a regular heathen among them.

I have been desperately low about the Charity organization and in a horrid rage with myself.— We had our conference yesterday and I made a blundering speech and rather tired people with too much detail, if one could have such a meeting over again how much shorter & better I could do it, my disgust will wear off in time. The meeting however was [illeg] and unanimously almost agreed to form a Society but I feel convinced in spite of my talking.

We have now got to arrange the public meeting & I shall be very glad when it is over and we can begin the more private work.

I am off back tomorrow morning. We dine at 8.30 which really absurdly late: there is something very striking about Lord Shaftesbury. I am afraid you will not see us till Christmas

Your affect son | W E. D.