From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [22 and 23 July 1860]

My dear William

We have had but a dismal Sunday as poor Etty has had a very bad night & has been vomiting a great deal today. I hope it is over now & M^r Wallis thinks this sort of bilious atttack of not much consequence but it will pull her back a little no doubt. The boys have been to bathe whenever they could, but yesterday Edmund went & G. is rather dull today. The cherries are plentiful & hae been some comfort. We heard from Down that there was no review after all so it was very provoking your hurrying off. You must have found the house somewhat dismal, unless you sat in the kitchen.

St Swithin has kept up his character ever since last Sunday. We saw the eclipse well & we were struck with an odd sort of ghastly light & its being so very cold all the time, but an eclipse is but a poor sight. I think we shall get Miss Ludwig to come chiefly to save ennui. Poor Miss Pugh writes very melancholy & that won't last long I am afraid.

Monday.

Etty had a pretty good night & I hope this attack is over. It has taken away all her appetite for the present & it is very sad not to be cheered by seeing her eat so heartily but that will soon come back I trust. Goodbye my dear old man. It is a great misfortune for George your being gone. yours E. D.