From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [29 October 1862]

My dear William

I did not expect any bitter news but it is sad to think of that poor little pretty child. It is a thing not to be got over by the poor parents. I hope she did not suffer consciously but those screams must have been very painful. I should have written sooner but on Sat. I set in with a feverish cold & I was in bed all Sunday & not very brisk yesterday. The house is rather poorly too. We have quite settled to send Lizzy to Miss Buob's after Xmas. She is full of zeal about it herself & learning to mend stockings & do her hair &c in preparation for it. Hen. has not been well since we came home either I think we shall then be able to do without Miss L: whether Horace goes to school or not but I am in hopes he will go. He does lessons for 2 hours now without being too tired & is very anxious to prepare for Mr Reed. Did I write to you since the visit of the 3 Beagle gents Sulivan Wickham & Mellersh. They were very pleasant but your father was so ill in the night I hope he will not try gentlemen visitors again except relations. He c^d not get up to see them the next morning.

John Lubbock comes on Friday, but he is on easier terms with him. We expect Camilla every day & I suppose Emily will go soon. Also Brodie whose visit I am afraid will be her last.

Goodbye my dear W^m | yours affectly E. D Effie has been thrown down by the wind at the Derbyshire's and so much bruised she c^d not travel