From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [6 December 1860]

My dear W^m

Thank you for your pleasant letter. It was very nice in W^m Fox calling on you when he had so little time to spare.

Poor Lizzy had a spill the other day off the pony & I shall not be sorry if she gives riding as she will never have any presence of mind.

Etty wants you to bring Maud & the Princess with you when you come.

The billiard lamps are 16 inches across the rims outside measure. The other day I went to call at Halstead to look at some fireplaces there & good M^r Atkins gave me a stove for the Hall as I said ours was a very bad one. He took me to his back premises & shewed me 4 stoves which he did not use, so I accepted it with gratitude & it is not near so ugly as our present one. Miss Pugh has been very pleasant & amusing. She has not heard of a situation yet. It rains without end. Goodbye my dear W^m. It is pleasant feeling that the Hythe practice improves you.

yours affectly E. D

Etty drove out yesterday it was so warm & played at back in the evg.