From Emma Darwin to Sara Darwin 28 October [1878]

My dearest Sara

I need not tell you how happy your dear letter made us both. It is good to know how thoroughly William is valued by you all & better still to read your own words about him. Good Theo wrote to me from Stockbridge & told the good news that after all your brother was able to go with him to Niagara, which was the only bad news in yr letter, as I had heard before that neither of the Aunts wd return with you. I still regret this but Leo. speaks so much of the great difficulty of keeping oneself warm on a ship in winter, that I have no doubt the voyage wd be a risk; & I hope you will muffle yourself up to the eyes. I wish you could stay longer though it is a pleasant thought how soon we shall have you back— I should be inclined to get a kitchen maid at once & keep good Mrs Cutting for some months, as you will be sure of everything going right under her ""eagle eyes"".

We spend our time most quietly & feel the arrival of the Litches & Leo. a very pleasant dissipation. Frank is much interested in trying to help Dr Moore to obtain the situation of Ass. Dr to St Bart. Hos. I believe he has a good chance, & no doubt it will help on his marriage. Elinor keeps very unwell, & they are very anxious about Mrs Dicey who is in a most distressing state of partly insanity, & the nursing of her is most trying, & Frank Dicey is almost the only one who has any influence over her. They think that she cannot live long. Aunt Eliz is at Leith Hill Place for a week. She took the wise resolution that she wd sit by the fire whatever the weather might be. She laments that the grandchildren are not more of an interest to my brother; however he takes very much to the little dog. Horace is at Mr Balfour's. There is quite a small party there & the jolly Mrs Campbell, whom Wm met once I think. Fr & I dined at Holwood on Friday & I thought Miss Drummond a sad sight  she is so much changed since I saw her about a year ago. She is soon going to Malta with the Governor's wife who is a friend & she is to spend the winter with them. Mrs Alexander looks melancholy about it & I don't wonder, as I think she cannot have many more winters to spend with her daughter. I am rather angry with Mr Alexander for wanting to stay at home. Bernard is at the stage of wanting endless stories or rather talkings, & I find myself very soon run dry— Tho' e is very merciful in wanting the same story 40 time. His talking only advances too fast. I wanted to hear about the presents. Sally is not too old to feel the importance of a watch as well as the pleasure & use of it— I am glad to hear what you say of Grace Norton. Will you remember me very kindly to both Aunts—

yours my dear | ED—

I suppose this is almost my last letter to you—