From Emma Darwin to Sara Darwin [3 September 1880]

My dear Sara

I have never thanked you for yr very pleasant letter on yr return home. Now I have heard from W^m what a satisfactory visit you have had from poor Mrs Nix. It must do her good to get away from that narrow influence. I was glad to hear of your spirit in going to the New Forest w. Mrs Seymour, tho' I dare say you were tired. What weather we are having! I am in hopes now that we are beginning a cycle of fine summers; it is so different from what we have had for some years. It does not quite suit me, except to sit still in. George is better & I hope he will soon have spirit to go & see you. He & Fr drove over yesterday to see the M'Lennans. He is more of a hypo. than ever, & talks of nothing but his health, & is afraid of putting his head out even in this weather. They are going to spend the winter here, however w. is a blessing for his wife, as she will remain within reach of her sister. Bessy has been since Monday w. the Shaens— Margaret is not well w. tooth ache, but was able to go w. Bessy to call at L.H.P. where she saw At C. Sophy is coming on Monday I think. Margaret can't spare the children to come with her which I am sorry for. H. & Ida's wedding tour is answering capitally. (Hen. sent you a letter I think). Leo only reaches Zermatt after they are gone. They have met many acquaintances up there & were going a pic nic w. a Mr & Mrs Abercrombie w. a saucepan to cook something in the vague. They are now gone on to Macognaga. Give my kind love to Miss Ashburner. Her suggestion of a box of letters has turned out very successful, and B. always likes that part of his lessons. I send a photo. of him for her, which is the one I like best, tho' I am afraid the reason is that he is getting less pretty— He rode the donkey to Ravensbourne yesterday & enjoyed his afternoon w. those boys (by the way an 11^th is just expected)  M^me Mohl whom I dare say you know, as you know every body, has been staying more than a fortnight at R—bourne, w. her niece, a nice M^me Schmidt. They came to lunch here, & she is a wonderfully racy old lady of 87 or so; but I think it must have been too long for Alice with all her cares.

I have got a Stylograph pen, w. makes me write in an ugly way, but I find writing on my lap & leaning back in my chair makes a gt difference. At Eliz. has been feeble & short breathed (tho' she enjoyed the Godfrey's visit) & to my gt surprise she has agreed to begin a course of wine & even a little coffee & brandy before getting up.

We are so badly off for books & are beginning one rubbishy novel after another. I am taking a sandwich of Cowper's letters & M^me. de Levigné for my private reading, & very refreshing they are. Leo. comes home on the 9^th— I will send his last when I get it— Goodbye my dears

yours E.D