From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [2 August 1863]

Essington Hotel | Malvern Wells

My dear Wm.

We came here yesterday & we are in hopes of getting the only house that is to be had very nice with a garden creeping up the hill (I wish you could come)

We shall telegram home today if we succeed & Papa and & Hen will go to sleep in London & come tomorrow.

About your Brittany scheme it would no doubt be a pleasant expedition, but I think Ronny being with you wd effectually prevent your learning to talk French— as an English person standing by always stops one's efforts.

The quickest way wd be for you to go into a French boarding house & hear French going on round you all day.

Spending your day, meals &c with Ronny & taking French lessons or talking a bit to the waiter (who will answer you in English) will do very little in that way but by way of a lark I think it may be very pleasant. I have a great deal to do so Goodbye my dear old man.

I have had more success than ever I expect about Traps

We have got the house | Villa Nu ova Malvern Wells

Please cite as “FL-0446,” in Ɛpsilon: The Darwin Family Letters Collection accessed on 9 May 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/darwin-family-letters/letters/FL-0446