From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [after 18 August 1852]

My dear Willy

I was very glad to get your comfortable account   I suppose D^r Goulburn was not very severe upon you by your not mentioning what your punishment was. The pony was so naughty with Miss Thorley the other day, he would go nowhere but with M^r Edwards & whenever he stopped at a cottage the pony insisted upon waiting for him. I rode him the next day & made him behave better & whipped him as hard as I could which he minded very little. Turpin has taken to be so fond of Miss Thorley in Parslow's absence (who is gone with Arthur to see his father & mother) that she can hardly get to church or any where without him.

Parslow has made you such a capital box to hold your tools with a lock & key. He has taken a great deal of trouble about it.

Miss Price is married & has sold all her things & the old donkey is to be killed instead of being sold. With my love to Erny your affect. mother | E. D.

Etty is very full of bird's nests & takes any new eggs. They kept their eggs at Barlaston in a drawer full of bran which is a good plan as you can see them so well without touching them. Georgy is very full of machinery & I think will be able to understand the inside of a mill & of a clock. The Chrystal Palace is to be set up at Sydenham which will be very handy for us to go & see it. It is to have the largest fountain in the world.