From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [14 September 1883]

My dear William

I was so vexed at finding that you had been in London on that lovely Sunday, when we sh^d so much have enjoyed a sight of you—& you w^d not have found the Hookers—tho' the gardens must have looked charming— I had 2 nice quiet days w. Frank, & heard a good deal about the Croft family. The father only came to Oxford for one day— He is at Droitwich for rheumatism & looked ill & sad— Fr liked M^r Willert partic— & thought M^rs W. nice. He thinks very highly of Ellen's judgment & influence. He set out to Oxford on Wed. Bernard seeing him go very cheerfully— Yesterday I had Louisa Ludwig & the 2 little Pattricks. They are most lively jolly children, & the chatter & noise are ceaseless— I am glad to see that they eat a reasonable quantity now— Louisa's soul is entirely concentrated in them & she can speak of nothing else, which I don't at all dislike— They only keep one maid now, Camilla does most of the cooking & Louisa some house work— The tithes were only £180 last year; but I dare say M^r Pattrick does not get his dues, as he can't bear struggling for them. It may have the advantage of making the young man who was to take orders for the living think it less worth while. I had a nice visit with Ellen Tollet & admired her power of forgetting constant discomfort, for I don't believe she ever has an easy hour— She is certainly better in winter, wh. she attributes to being able to keep in an equable temperament. Yesterday I drove to Keston to see M^rs Wright & walked back through Holwood Park— It was looking lovely— but seemed too full of memories, & I thought how you all used to race down the pretty green slope at the end— I was so glad to think that I walked thro' it w. your father not so very long ago—

We used generally to finish a drive with that charming bit of walking.

Bessy has been to L. H. P. for 3 days wh. was intensely cold— Lauras for 2— wh. she enjoyed much tho' she thinks L. very weak.

She had a pleasant sight of Effie. Rasmus is still faithful to me, as when they spoke of Effie to him by the name of Granny, he instantly began asking for chocolate. Then Bessy went to Camberley, where she is v. comf– the little house so adorned it looks too like a curiosity shop— When Leo. was here he was finishing a theme on the battle of Waterloo— over wh. he had taken great pains, & was v. weary of it— so I am rejoiced to hear that he has gained the highest credit—

He goes to his riding 4 days a week & thinks it is v- good for him. Today Bessy goes to Cambridge & will get some scrattle done tomorrow. On Monday she comes home & we shall begin systematically to arrange things here & put up a list in every room of what is to be taken. But we mean to leave the house comfortable & home like.

I will direct to Basset as no doubt your letters are forwarded—George is at Sir W. Thomsons & has had some beaut. short yachtings The life there is a complete rush— wearying to death I sh^d think & he thinks it is too m. for Lady T– Yours my dear W. my best love to Sara— I hope you are both drinking in strength

My love to Margaret— I hope she enjoyed seeing Edin–

I have got £2513 in Bank | I sh^d think that w^d do—