From Emma Darwin to Sara Darwin 31 January 1880

My dear Sara

You wrote me such a pleasant letter some time ago. It was provoking to miss Col. Gordon; but you are sure to see him again. My interest in him tho' still very great, is certainly lessened by the wildness of that letter to W^m.. I shall be glad to know whether W^m. thinks him less sensible than when he saw him last—or whether his mind is quite full of enthusiastic ideas.

Frank is better & will attend the School Committee today & see whether they can soften the step taken last week of superseding Mr Ff. in the Chairmanship— I have no doubt that it ought to have been done in a difft way & w. more time for consideration— We are all by the ears, as Mr Teesdale warmly takes up Mr Ff's cause—& has resigned his seat— Sam. Butlers attack has appeared in the Ath—& I am afraid will annoy F. a good deal— Whatever he says in the way of answer he will keep for a few days— I sh^d like to know whether he need answer at all; but he has quite made up his mind & there is no use attempting to dissuade him—

(Oh. what a nice day! Are you having a ride I wonder—)

George is still v. unwell & thinks he must remain some more days at Zurich—but he is got into a more normal state of unwellness— He has found a week's illness by himself terribly dreary work— He has called in a Dr. w. I am glad of, if only for the sake of seeing a human creature to talk to— I hear that Mr M.'Lennan mt die any minute, or live a few months. I think Bessy's visit to you will come in better later on, & she has a good many irons in the fire just now—

I did so enjoy our lovers, only one of them was rather sick— I had some nice sits w. them. She is a sweet little wife & I believe every thing will now be smooth— It will be a gt pleasure to you having Mr Lowell within reach—

Yours my dear Sara— We like Dicken's letters v. m. Some of his fun is as amusing as Sydney Smiths | E.D—