From Emma Darwin to Sara Darwin [24 January 1878?]

My dear Sara

It was very pleasant to receive your codicil to Wm's card & though it was a very compendious card your letter told me a great deal more—

I am glad you liked them all. Mrs W. was almost the most charming woman I ever knew when young. She had such high spirits & was so entertaining.

None of her daughters inherit a spark of her spirits; but Margaret is very sensible & graceful & more open & comeatable now than she ever used to be.

I had a v. prosperous letter from B. from Canterbury & they had enjoyed Rochester & the weather bright; but today it is really lovely—however I will not grudge it for Theo's arrival with you.

After all Mrs Tuke arrived quite unexpectedly in Bry St on Sat. which makes me glad that Theo. kept to her first plan as I think her visit w. Hen. w^d have been a little spoilt by a stranger there.

I am watching the men trying to raise the Chinese privet in front which was quite bowed down by the snow. I hope the lecture will be a success & that Leo. was able to go w. Theo. as the last I heard was that he was afraid he c^d not manage it—

Frank's mind is v. full of going to Wurtzburg this Summer to study under Sachs & he is at his German—

I do hope he will keep to his resolution & not find it too difficult to leave B— Tell Theo. that I think B. had a tender recollection of the gold thimble. He looked v. wise & meditative when I talked about it & the ""lady""—

We had him vaccinated again which was rather horrid—

yours my dear Sara. I hope Oxford is on the tapis; but that if it is not you will come here. | E D