From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [24 March 1859]

My dear William

It is a long time since I have written to you but I have been so busy teaching since the departure of the G. Etty undertook one child which helped me much.

Miss Pugh came on Tuesday for a short visit before settling with her pupils. The children are very glad to have her again & if she was always as cheerful & pleasant as she is now, we could not desire anything better. She has the children to lessons & teaches them dancing. She saw M^r Hawkshaw in London so that he means to remain friendly with her but I don't suppose it will ever be made up with M^rs H.

We liked John very well for the two days he was here. He is open & sociable. I send you a letter of Godfrey's wh. please burn. I am glad we shall have him at Easter. I think Erny must come & see the billiard table too. I have never mentioned the table to the Peters so when you are at home you must invite Jack in to have a game occasionally

Papa has been expecting a lawyers letter from the Grut but I think we shall escape now. I don't believe your father knows any thing about Sir F. Darwin's family.

I don't think the children talked more French with M^rs G. than with Miss P.  unfortunately M^rs G had such a flow of English that if she scolded it was sure