From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [early June 1856]

My dear Willy

I have had the influenza or I sh^d have written to your sooner. I hope the poor boy will recover I suppose the door gave way easier than he expected which caused the violence of the blow (Papa desires you not to forget the elephants tho' not to hurry)   on Monday Ad. & M^rs Fitz Roy & their son a pale boy of 18 who has been 4 years in the navy & had prize money, came to luncheon in their way from Sevenoaks. Papa was much awestruck with the honour, & the Ad. was very gracious & friendly   M^rs Fitz Roy is a cold dry stick & I c^d not find a word to say to her. Papa says she is a remarkably nice woman (because she laughed at his jokes I say) Yesterday the 2 Hawkshaws rode over one on a Shetland pony.

Clarke is a very nice sensible looking boy but Harry is quite awfully ugly & a very little fellow. I think he must have been tired with riding 30 miles on a Shetland pony. We have had charming weather for more than a week & the boys enjoy playing on the dry lawn. Lizzy is to go on a visit to the Hawkshaws with Miss Pugh &, she is much pleased. We are going to Tenby in the holidays.

Goodbye my dear old Man. I am glad that you will be confirmed before long. yours E. D.

My tip is quite handsome