From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [17? March 1883]

My dear William

I send you Leo's account of how he succeeded.

I have heard since from Miss Goddard, saying how good his address was, & how pleasing his voice, & that the children were interested in the past that applied to them. Bee said his voice sounded quite composed when he began, & by the time he had gone on for 5 m. she felt quite at ease— I have passed on M^rs Younge's request to George, & the young man being French will be a recommendation— I wonder whose niece it was, who is his mother. George & Maud & the Aunt M^rs Courtney came yesterday— She is a most dreadful goose & cannot be easy for a minute, but is flattering or arch something dreadful— Alas! she is going with them to Devonshire. She asked me how Maud behaved but said that she had always been very amiable & did not I think amiability was a good thing in married life?

She is at perfect leisure & quite ready to spend any amount of time with her friends. I shall be very glad to hear when Sara is at ease about Mrs Seymour. To have their boys divided must lessen the weight on M^r Seymour. (Thank Sara for her letter to me. I am glad about poor Katy Nix)

I wish you & she could visit them on Maggiore; but Sara must stick to her Spa—

Henrietta has returned to Cannes to be under D^r Bright whom she likes much, & who I think is doing her good. I am sure she is better by the account she gives of her doings— Cecily & a daughter are in the same Hotel, & prevent loneliness, & Richard joins her in a fortnight.

What a storm in New York! has Sara heard from home about it— It will be very nice if you can come— There will be no one but Horace & Ida—

Yours my dear W. Here is snow again. | E. Darwin