From E. S. Galton to Emma Darwin 21 February 1868

My dear Emma

I have been waiting to hear from Frank, before answering your letter, about the copy of a picture of your Grandfather. Our ideas upon the subject are that "half a loaf is better than no bread" and it would be very kind if you would offer it to the Loan Exhibition of National Portraits—in order to bring as many portaits together of the members of the "Lunar Society" as can be obtained. The offer must come from you or my cousin Charles, and as the Exhibition opens in March, no time must be lost, in offering it—

My sister (Bessy Wheler) found she gained, by lending the picture of my Grandfather D^r. E Darwin, last year—for it was most carefully packed up & returned to her—

She had two photographers presented to her—

Also a splendid bound catalogue and a Season ticket

The Secretary sends minute directions, to paste on the box.

Frank has spoken to the Secretary, & my grandfather's portrait, an original one, which is in the National Portrait Gallery by Wright, will be exhibited this year. He was then a much younger man, than when the one we have, was taken. Frank has spoken about Watt's picture—Boulton's—Keir's D^r. Priestley— We are trying for Edgeworths & M^r. Day's—but as the letter, went round by Violetta Darwin to a granddaughter of M^r. Edgeworths, it may take some more days, before we can hear— My sister (Bessy Wheler) is very anxious that D^r. Richard [Fox] should be warned (as he is collecting materials for D^r. E Darwins life) against placing too much faith on the only life yet written of my grandfather, which was by Miss Seward, & which he would probably consult— Miss Seward was, I believer a disappointed person—she proposed to my Grandfather, & was so annoyed by his rejecting her, that she revenged herself by writing a biography of him, full of false representations & downright falsehoods. The family (my mother says) made her contradict them in the newspapers of the day, but the book is still in being. Bessy remembers seeing a copy at Uncle Darwin's at Shrewsbury & being struck by pencil marks on almost every page, put by my Uncle, with comments "quite false" "totally untrue" &c &c. That copy is a valuable one to prove her falsehoods—& if D^r. R knew of it, he would not be misled. The picture of William Darwin, was the Father of the late M^rs. Fox—thus

My mother says, that Robert Darwin, the Eldest brother of my Grandfather was very clever & my Grandfather, always asked him to criticize his Works, before he published them. The 4 brothers were all at College at one time. They attended different lectures, & repeated to each other the substance of them, as 4 brothers at College together was a great expence to the Parents.

If I have not drawn out the sketch of the Genealogy clear enough, I will do so again, but I am afraid to lose the Post.

We shall think of Margaret Wedgwood tomorrow. I hope Henrietta will be able to be present. Our kind love to you all— Tell William we often think of him.

Believe me | My dear Emma | Ever affec^ly. y^rs. | E. S. Galton