From F. E. E. Wedgwood to Emma Darwin [22 April 1851]

My dearest Emma

I am thankful that you felt there was much to fear in yr note yesterday for I grieve to write you a worse report this evening  There has been a change to day & signs of sinking— I tell you everything just as it is my dearest Emma & thankful also for the mercy that is given us of there being not the least appearence of suffering in your sweet patient darling. Charles had written you this morning—too hopefully & he will not send it & cannot not write you this himself— he is gone to lie down & has gone through much fatigue— her night was not disturbed & less wandering than the night before but the effort of the fever throwing itself off from the bowels is more than her strength seems able to bear & she has lost strength every time. We are now giving brandy & ammonia every q^r of an hour, which she takes with no difficulty— D^r Gully is just gone. he thinks her in imminent danger & not having gained ground–-

Fanny will send us a word for all our sorrowing anxiety is for you now my Emma in this great suffering— God support and raise you for Charles sake— I need not say that if any change for the better wch is always possible with a child sh^d be given us—you shall have a message— But I have told you the worst. Oh that I should have to send you such sad sad news–-

Our only comfort will be to hear of you— I have persuaded Charles to lie down for a while

Thank you for y^r sweet note | your affec | FEW