From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [13 December 1862]

My dear W^m

I don't wonder you were overcome at the length of your own letter. It was very amusing too. I have not a thing to tell you. I took Hen. and Camilla up to a pop. Concert on Monday. It was Joachim & Hallé & so very good but I was in a greater rage than ever with Sebastian Bach which I think hideous. Hen. has had 3 singing lessons at Ravensbourne & we have put our [frump] in our pockets (M^rs Nevile Lubbock had never returned my call) & she is also to join the singing class at M^rs Nevile's. I really think she will have a tidy little voice.—

We shall be a very pleasant party after Xmas. Hen. has been sorry to be obliged to refuse a very tempting invite for you & her for that week from Cecily to go to a Newcastle ball & we thought as Ernest w^d be here you w^d not be able to accept it any more than she could— Lizzy is on a visit of a few days to the Thorleys

Lenny is not very well. Unless he gets better we are afraid he will not be fit for school, which will be very bad for his learning. Your father is constantly plagued with slight attacks of exema which make him very uncomf— He & Etty are very full of a little hot house about 4^ft sq^r. they are going to have in the dining room.

Yours my dear W^m | E. D.