From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [18 August 1880]

My dear W^m.

No dout you will have heard from C. L. He writes to Eliz that he is better, but I am afraid he will not feel up to going from home.

We go to No 6 tomorrow & I shall try to see Sara on that day or Friday. We are v. comf. here & enjoy every $\frac{1}{2}$ hour we can catch of this pleasant & light hearted couple— F. is uncommonly well & has enjoyed every thing. I have continued rather deadish, but enjoyed two mild little larks yesterday a row on the river & then to the music at King's— Today we have been to the Botanic Gardens & seen a bed for Salpaglossis (a lovely annual) which looks as if it w^d flower all the autumn. They are all going to lunch at Fr. Balfour & meet Sidgwicks & all the habitués. It is a large party & I had rather stay at home— Cambridge has been empty enough & not too empty so as to be dull— Yesterday we went to see the future house— w. did not look v. cheerful, as the trees have now the smoke of 6 months (we have not had not had a glimpse of sunshine & it all looks black & grey) To return to the house it is a common ugly little yellow brick house on a bustling road; but the garden is nice & worth any thing. The rooms are darkened by a solid verandah & too narrow to be of any use— However I disguised my feelings.

We go tomorrow to No 6 & these folk mean to start for Dover on Friday if they can get done. Horace is finishing a lightening conductor at Michael Fosters— I went in to see the Pendulum, which however is built in & invisible. Its movements are recorded magnified on a scale & it was curious to see what a jolt it gave when Geo. put his hand on the stone wall–-

We also saw Lord Rayleigh's experiment of a rill of water affected by the vibration of a tuning fork—

We went over Jesus beaut. chapel & courts which a v. charming

Hen. is perfectly charmed w. Wells where they have stayed 3 days— You & Sara ought to go some time it w^d be no great journey—

Frank had a jolly 10 days at Coniston & went home to Bernard on Tuesday The two Miss Butchers were there pretty & pleasant & they did the nets & Lawn tennis.

The great Dew comes this evg. We have hardly seen him.