From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [18 November 1862]

My dear William

It seems to me you want a little stirring up in the way of letter writing. Our chief news is Hen's first singing lesson at Ravensbourne from M^rs Andrews a nice jolly conceited talking woman. I gave her such a low account of H's voice that she was agreeably surprized & encouraged her a good deal. She is hard at work in the dining room now. She has also been spending two pleasant days there with Hope & Effie & they all & a Miss Carter who met you at the Forrests. A pleasant girl who plays very well. Walked over to luncheon & Ditto back again all the girls & boys accompanying them thro' the mud as far as the gate of Holwood Park. Elinor is a very merry little soul. We had a nice visit from George & Frank. G. to my surprize seems to wish to go to S^t John's & there are such a number of scholarships that he is going to try for one & I should think he was likely enough to succeed—

I have bought Lenny a lovely pr of first rate skates which is quite enough to keep off the forst.

Papa has had exema very bad but the attack is gone off for this time.

Poor Jane Sales has lost her nice little baby quite suddenly. It is a terrible grief to her. Rose & Mabel have been stopped from their visit here by the chicken pox. It is a great disappointment to Lizzy as she wanted to hear aboyt Miss [Buobs]—

The old Hartfield mare has been shot as the foal can now do without her. I am very glad the cold weather makes you feel better.

Has M^rs Pratt let her rooms? You never answer that. Goodbye my dear old man—

We are having a nice visit from Amy & Cecily. Amy goes with us tomorrow to L. H. P. & Cecily to Hawks.

Horace stays at home in his harem.

We go to Cam. on Thursday 24. & I hope to return home Sat. night.

E. D.

[Enclosure]

Dear William—

As I believe I am going the tour I wish you would tell me the place you got the eyeglass in London, so that I could write for one & what you call it, how much it costs & whether there are different strengths & sizes, & if you chose the strength you wanted? If you would write one line to Leith Hill I should be much obliged. Your exercise is splendicious

Yours affec | HED.