From Emma Darwin to Sara Darwin [28 May 1878]

My dear Sara

We thought that of course our Col. Higginson was the same as your guest but it proved not the case— He did not come with Geo. & Mr Haig as directed, but an hour later; having purloined the Temperance Lecturer's fly for whom we had ordered one)— Col. H— seems a very easygoing man, & said he might just as well have been in time, as he was sitting in Charing Cross Hotel. But he had got it into his head that I had told him 4—30 instead of 4—20 (whereas it really was 4^.^12). However he had the best of it in his fly as it poured all the day— He was very agreeable & amusing & told us of the welfare of most of his negros whom he had been to look after. He was very intimate with the Nortons as no doubt you know— Mr Haig is from California a very nice gentle sort of man, very clean & handsome— He was v. intimate w. your Californian uncle & knew all about your wedding & was in hopes he sh^d have met you here. He has a wife & 2 little children. He had been v. kind to George & Frank at San Francisco— It is pleasant to think how much easier you are about your Aunt Anne, & among other minor advantages I am glad you & Theo. will after all go to Cambridge. I did her a good turn today in telling Alice I was sure Theo. w^d not have time to go to Ravensbourne—but I wish she mt have time to give us a day—

We hope that Marian Huxley is safe now. Her young. sister told me she had asked for a visit from the cat & her kittens w. certainly was a good sign— Mr Huxley told George that she had been in the greatest danger— Bessy is gone to Leith Hill P. & Barlaston & a few days w. Hope & Godfrey—

George's paper was read at the R. S. on Thursday, not a very gratifying process to the author as it was galloped thro' without being understood, except I suppose by Sir W. Thompson who made a few remarks—

Horace is always on the go & travelled up from Brighton w. Mr Westinghouse & liked him very much. F. is in a state of prospective indignation with Douglas Galton, because he is sure he will not give due credit to Horace about the brake—

Bernard has made a step in strength & activity in this month & he looked so pretty rushing over the lawn in the wind with his hair blowing back.

I have been quite weary of the rain— The lawn gives way under ones feet like a bag— I have had the bedding out plants out & they at least enjoy it— It has been quite cold too. I enclose a letter which has been much circulated it is supposed to be written by Lord Carnarvon— I don't want it back— A very staunch Russian (Miss Shore) told me that the change of tone in the Times was supposed to be owing to Delaine giving up the Editorship Watter is supposed to be sincere in his opinions— I have real hopes now—that the Congress seems almost certain. I think it an excellent thing that it costs £100 a piece to bring over Indian soldiers—

My best love to my dear Old man—

Yours my dear daughter Sara | E. D—

Tell me about your cook some time.