From E. S. Galton to G. H. Darwin 30 July 1874

My dear George

Having been from Home at Ilfracombe, I only received your letter this morn—as I desired no letters to be forwarded for a few days.—

I have altered my former letter— I see my mistake in the second page (marked 3), I ought to have written "the Eldest brother" (instead of Son)— The fact was, I wrote from my Mother's dictation, forgetting that I was writing in my own name, & thereby confusing the Generations.

I have put a cross in your letter—on the William Alvey Darwin because I think the picture you refer to, is very like one M^rs. Fox had of her Father— she said W^m. Alvey Darwin.

Did you ever hear an anecdote my Mother often used to tell us, of her Uncle Robert Darwin of Elston? His family were very anxious he should marry, & persuaded him to make love to a Young Lady in the neighbourhood (My sister & myself cannot remember her name) He donned his best coat which was scarlet & gold lace and proceeded to the House— After some time they took a walk in the Garden together and matters were going on very hopefully when the Lady feeling chilly, sent John the footman for her shawl. John on return^g put it on the Lady rather awkwardly— When she exclaimed, "Oh dear John take care of my Lappets"— Not being sufficiently decided in her punctuation, my great Uncle Robert Darwin would have it that she said— "Oh! dear John!—take cake of my lappets"—instead of, "Oh dear! John take care of my lappets—" The consequence was, he mounted his Horse & rode away—& was never known to make love to a Lady hereafter—

Could your picture have been him in his courting dress?

My sister M^rs. Wheler has written out this Genealogy for me, as all my own books are packed up in boxes, as I have had Painters & Whitewashers in my House & also Bricklayers—so I could get to nothing— If you want more information, she will supply it as far as she is able—

Reginald Darwin who lives at "the Fern, Baxton" sent me some years ago—his manuscript drawings of all the Monumental Inscriptions of the Darwin family at Elston & Breadsall— I copied them, but owing to my eyes being at that time very weak, they are very badly done—but still if you would like to see them, I would send them you, only you w^d. do far better, getting a sight of Reginald's—.

Last year I wrote to Reginald about something I wanted to know of the Darwin family— He kindly sent me my Grandfathers (Dr ED's) Memorandum Book—a very large book—containing many of his theories—sketches of new inventions (which are now in daily use & quite common) scraps of Poetry— Peculiar diseases & his treatment of them. It was really most interesting to us, looking over the pages. Reginald Darwin has been always most kind & ready to send us anything we have wanted— Do you know him? He is most original & a most amusing Person.

Francis' wife (Louisa Jane) was daughter of D^r. Butler famous Master of Harrow—& was Dean of Peterborough when he died.

I hope you are in better health than when I last met you at Brighton, & that your Father & Mother are pretty well— Give my sisters & my kind love to them. Many thanks for asking how I am— I am really so much stronger for my sea expedition, that I expect in a few months to be as well as ever, considering my old age—

When writing about Genealogies how came you to forget to tell us that your Brother Frank was just married—that it might be properly entered into the Darwin Genealogy, especially as your family—& your Uncle Erasmus are the male representations of the Darwins. Believe me My dear Cousin

Yours most sincerely | Emma S Galton

My letter is too late for to-days post