From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [8 April 1862]

My dear William

I think Aunt Fanny will be the person to give you the right advice about your season ticket. One knows what her opinion will be. If you can get to the opening (But won't Mr. A. be there at that time) I don't know but what I sh^d give you the same.

We have had great ups & downs with Horace but yesterday he accomplished a day without any attack which has not been the case for a long time. His stomach is often disordered & I shall think it an excellent thing if his bad symptoms turn more into that. Hen. & Miss Thorley went on Sat. to a Rehearsal of the New. Phil. & came back the same day quite brisk. They lunched with Aunt Cath. They heard Titiens & some good Symph. & I shall try it some day. Aunt Cath. will be with us at Easter also D^r Hooker for a day or two.

On Sunday John L. M^r Huxley & M^r Busk walked over to lunch & we sent them back in phaeton. Horace has a box of magnetic toys which occupies him for hours. Your father saw Sir H. H. whose opinion of Horace was more favorable this time. Hen. is gone to Cumberland for a week. Miss Thorley is here which makes Lizzy very comfortable. You need not send this to the boys Mackintosh is a good deal better.