From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [6 September 1879]

My dear William

I hope you have enjoyed this pleasant week. One had really forgotten what sunshine was like— I am glad too that Aunt Anne's last impression of Basset should be cheerful—

I have been driving to Cudham (of all places) to call on M^r Freer the new clergy & his great house (something like the Tuleries) is more absurd the nearer you get to it— There is literally not a tree within 100 y^ds— They were not at home— I ventured the straight way home w. the help of the dragchain & getting out to walk down—

Bessy has had a v. nice time w. M. Shaen & plenty of sympathy & interest about the great question.

B. writes to me today from Abinger & has had a talk w. Effie w. mollifies me very much & I hope will do the same for Horace—

"She said she had been so very sorry that the interview w. Horace had gone so wrong; She said she went there thinking it w^d be so cold if she did not; & somehow every thing they said to each other rubbed them up— & that she had felt w. miserable about it— She evidently is v. unhappy & of course her feeling of jealousy is wrong; but I did feel sorry for her & so I was able to express sympathy; but otherwise I did not know what to say I was so afraid of putting things wrong.

She also had 2 long talks w. Ida who thinks things must go on as they are unless they all get too miserable which she cannot wish. She can't conceive what her father's object in waiting is; but is sure he must not be pushed— I feel as if something was in the air w. may turn to good—

We have just had a visit from Häckel—v. pleasant but Oh—such shouting. it deafened F. so you may imagine my feelings.

He has been coasting round the N. of Scotland & I suppose shouting against the winds & waves, & has not been able to let down his voice— He is employed about the collections of the Challenger— He is an active man, gets up at 5 or 5.30 in the summer—breakfasts at 6 on a piece of bread & coffee & dines at 1. & is w. his family for some little time & then 3 or 4 more hours work—

He is like a great good-natured boy, & talks most devoutly about the way the German scientific quarrel— & one can hardly imagine him being rancorous, w he certainly is—

Fritz Müller sent his 3 daughters from S. America to Berlin for education & the eldest (grown up) fell from an upper window & was killed—

Old Günther (not that he is so v. old) has just married a young wife & when F. said something about wishing he had invited G. to come also; Hackel said "Oh he vould not have come, he is ever vith his young vife"— He talks exactly like the German in Punch without the slightest attempt to pronounce rightly.

R. came down yesterday & was amused w. the man of science—

As soon as Hen. is dismal he will join her—Neither she nor Annie can get any body to speak to, any more than Sara did at Droitwich except her German mistress & D^r. The hay in stony field is only just cut & they will carry it well I think—

I hope we shall have Leo. today—

Yours my dear | w. love to your ladies | . D—