From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [1 March 1861]

My dear William

Will you please buy & get framed for Lizzy any pretty small Photograph of a picture. (Not the 3 little choristers) I don't care about size tho' If you see any thing nice for Etty you may get one also & bring them with you. I am thinking of inviting Barlaston for Easter, but I doubt whether the Tenby folks will not be there

Etty & I drove out in the new Phaeton yesterday & it is a very pleasant carriage much more roomy than the old one. Poor Miss Ludwig is very unhappy about her brother who is a sailor & left England more than 3 weeks ago in that stormy time. She has been hoping to hear of his arrival in Hamburgh every day for a fortnight. She bears it wonderfully well & tries to be as cheerful as she can.

Lizzy had 2 teeth stopped by Mr Robinson & bore it very tolerably. I took her up & old Rob. fell into such a rapture about Effie I he thought he w^d have cried  Effie always goes with her sisters & holds their heads when any thing is to be done. He ended "What w^d I give to have such a child as that." Lizzy is to have 3 more pulled out (with chloroform as he said he w^d not do it without on any account she was so nervous).

The boys come tomorrow that is if old P. will let them but we are rather alarmed as it is only 3 weeks to Easter

Did I tell you M^rs Huxley & children are coming here on the 9th for a fortnight  She is very melancholy about the death of her little boy. M^r Huxley comes down on the Saturday.

Mrs Arch Allen. asked Susan to ask you to call on her son, but I think you have. [Burn] Uncle Frank. It is amusing