From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [9 February 1884]

My dear William

We are expecting all 66 to come to us for a week, which is very cheerful— Poor old Horace is not much to boast of, but he manages to go to the shop— I am disppted about him—

The ladies (some of them including Ida) have set up a sort of club engaging to give 6 balls in a public room, to be simple & only for the purpose of dancing— beginning at 8.30 & ending at 12 to be called Cinderella Dances— However the first turned out to be so crowded that there was not room for good dancing— Ellen & Ida were both there— Frank skipped it by being at the Linn. Leslie Stephen's lectures are become very interesting. Bessy attends them— He called here yesterday & was in an agony of shyness, till we got on the subject of poor M^rs Lushington when he shewed g^t feelings.

His subject was Swift yesterday & he c^d hardly bring out the words "Only a woman's pain" (Stellas) I am very low about the Gov^t— The more so as the Times has evidently deserted them. Gen. Gordon will not m. mind being killed; but if he is, Gladstone will go— In some respects it is more comf. being in the opposition oneself—

It is so easy to be wise after the event that I don't feel at all sure that things have been so badly managed—

The roofs are getting up on both the houses & they say will be done in a month—

I had a treat of Piano playing at 66 the other night— M^r Rowe dines there & he is a beaut player— chiefly Chopin & Brahms— Chopin he plays with beaut softness & fire; indeed I pitied the piano, & think thumping after a certain pitch is useless—

The Litches are at Ucl Harry's today— R. has to settle Juke affairs. He has brought himself into such difficuties by moving into another house, contrary to the strong remonstrances of R. & his wife, that he is now quite humble & repentant, & reconciled to his wife, who some time ago hardly ventured to go into the room—

We have the Rayleighs to dinner today, & M^r Crawley is coming— When you have seen G's letter I sh^d like it back

Yours my two dear ones | E. D—

I can only verify £45 from Stanger for rent of QQQQ—but it is the 1^st payment I missed entering & therefore I am sure I sh^d have remembered on receiving the 2^nd that I had not had it—