From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [before 8 October 1878]

My dear William

Here is nearly a week that I have not written to either of you two dear ones— We have had a fine week with a great deal of loitering out & amusement watching B., & the little Pattrick who spent 2 days here with Louisa Ludwig. Bernard was cross & jealous at first but gradually forgot it & accepted little Ethel's attentions, & then remembered that was not the right thing & screwed up a cross face & gave a cross squall. I never saw so good & patient a nurse as Louisa  She was trotting after Ethel the whole of the 2 days & then told me her visit had been so resting. She is perfectly happy but is rapidly approaching the state of Amy W. her whole talk being about the sayings & doings of the children.

Bessy was in London on Saturday taking Alice H. to a concert at Albert Hall & at the same time calling on Mrs Ruck who is staying very amicably with Mrs Pedley & who came up about poor Dickie's affairs— He has been in an utter state of misery trying to give up his commission, which has not been allowed (as he is partic. useful about torpedos) & so he sails to night; but will no doubt take the first opp. of resigning. Mrs R. actually likes Mrs P. very much. Bessy saw her also & did not like or dislike her.

Hen. has been for 2 days at Ramsgate & found Aunt F. m. pulled down with her attack of bronchitis & rather oppressed & tired with having the Alfreds in the house. It was ill—judged with her civil nature to leaver her for a day alone with them.

Ernest came on the Friday & Hensleigh wd be returning from Dilhorne soon after— F. has been hard at work on his wonderful exploding plant & was much tired with the microscope work, till it all turned out clear, when he felt quite rested. Leo. had bad weather in Wales but worked hard, we don't know with what success— Horace was not well enough to go to Mr Easton's ball, in spite of Uncle Ras. moving representations of how Miss Müller w^d be sitting in a corner expecting him. Uncle Ras wants Miss M. to come & call on him & told Horace to ask her, saying that he never called on ladies but liked them v. m. to call on him.

Perhaps as she is strong minded she will do so—

I want much to know what moderate Turks such as Mr Hank—think of this crazy responsibility we have undertaken  I will send you what I think a very powerful article in the Spec— I cannot help hoping that some good many arise, to Cyprus at any rate, & poss. to Armenia, if we do our duty. What does any body say about you—

I can hardly believe that the H. of Commons can submit to having been so entirely ignored—

Goodbye your | E.D

I do so enjoy my new table & I am getting quite tidy.