From Emma Darwin to G. H. Darwin, W. E. Darwin, and Francis Darwin [27 October 1861]

My dear George

I am returned with just enough of a headache to prevent me going to church so I will tell you of my London doings.

Etty went on Monday & I joined her on Tuesday just in time for the Concert. We found Godfrey & Capt John there. (the Captain did not honour the Concert). We went late & came away early but we only missed one of Jenny's songs. She sang as beautifully as ever & Sims Reeves. Old Weiss as Elijah we all hated & thought him most tedious. Etty & I found we were not well enough acquainted with the music, to enjoy it fully, however she did enjoy it much & longed to hear it all over again. It was very hot but not close & we returned to a delicate supper of cold beef which did us good. Aunt Eliz. was come up from Hastings for it. Uncle Langton has taken a very good house at Hastings for 5 months, & came up one of the days to buy a carriage for Aunt C. as the new waggonet they have does not suit her. On Thursday Miss Thornton & Henrietta Synnot came. H. seems very merry & I asked Miss T. to come & visit us here & bring her nieces which she promised to do. They talked about your visit to them & Miss T said she was glad to find you did not mind it so much as young Macaulay whom she invited once. He never appeared & when she sent to enquire they said he had dressed himself & gone out some where. It appeared afterwards that he ran up to his mothers to tell her of the invitation, & say he c^d not endure to go. So I suppose they did not ask him to go again. On Friday I took Etty to M^r Woodhouse & she had a tooth out with chloroform  She felt very smothery & bad before she was quite insensible but she had not near so large a dose as you had so she got over it sooner & staid in bed the rest of the day & was quite well yesterday when I left her to stay a few days behind me. I want you to send this on to William as I have not time to write two notes. (Dear W^m  You seem going on very comfortably. Your methodical way of spending your evenings is very comfortable. What a very well arranged family the Forrests must be to do away entirely with their 9 children. Sir N. James speaks very highly of M^r & M^rs Atherley & seems to think you lucky. The B. Carters told me she was celebrated for being beautifully dressed wherever she was, so you shewed your discrimination.

(Now to G & F  Did you hear that Parslow got the 3^rd prize in the match the other day & viz. 1 sovereign Town the first).

(Now to W^m. Horace is very indignant that you have not answered his letter & means to write again).

Lenny brings word that there is to be railway extension to Lever Green. It seems incredible but w^d be very nice. Poor little Louisa Lud. has got a situation  Miss Pugh writes very comf. from hers. She was much pleased to have a little visit from you & F.

(Now to W^m. we think 11/ a fortnight for meat highly moderate. I am glad you have such a strict Duenna).

Good bye to all of you. | yours E.D.

Here are some stamps for you (G.) as you have so many letters to forward