From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [c. 15 July 1873]

My dear W^m.

I hope you find yourself a bit screwed up by your Scotch lark— I do not myself regret Abinger & F. likes nothing so well as your house. I have been very full of the debates & disgusted w. Sir John laughing, if it really took place—

I wonder Gladstone cd calm down his nerves enough after that horrid squabble to make so grand a speech. The eliciting from Cross what we should think sufficient grounds for war must be a good thing. No doubt Dizzy w^d enlarge the grounds very much— We are taking in the Times now; but I feel still to want a little to know how the Daily takes all this. Poor Hen has been in bed a week but there is no great cause for uneasiness & I hope she may come to us on Sat— She goes to Kreuznach w. Effie, if well enough, as D^r C. thinks it may do her general health good—

T.H.F. was remarkably agreeable on Sat & Sunday— He & the boys walked to Chevening that cold bright day— Since then the weather has been delightful only too dry—

I think it might be worth while your asking Barnes about the horse (not what he wd give tho' as it w^d not be worth the bother & expense of sending him). I am rather inclined to get rid of him.

Aunt Eliz. is at Bournemouth & finds Miss Brander staying w. C.L— Lena gives up having any of her children with her, & will return to her new house when she comes— She is q. friendly w C. & defers to him about the children