From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [1 June 1885]

My dear William

I return your pleasant budget—What nice affectionate letters they are from the girls. I sent on Aunt Anne to Hen— as telling so much about Sara— M^r Flower wrote to me about places on the 9^th I should like to avoid greetings, & I am not sure that my best way will not be to go very early & take my chance for a place in the crowd & not the reserved places— It is nice to think of Sara setting out on next Sat. as ever is—

I returned on Sat. from 5 days with Ellen Tollet, which were sad enough, as I thought her at a lower state than when I saw her last in Oct.

Some of the days she c^d hardly speak at all, & it is difficult to go on talking to a person with no response— She was certainly better the 2 last days & could talk a little She can listen to any amount of reading aloud & her young companion does that very agreeably. We found Croker's Rem. excellent for the purpose. I think him an upright sort of bigot, but never engaging or nice, so that I run no risk of liking him at the end— All his accounts of conversation with the D. of Wellington & other interesting people strike one as absolutely correct & literal. He can't believe that any whig acts from a good motive—

I went to see M^rs Huxley (even S^t John's Wood looked lovely)— She has had great troubles about poor Marian who is travelling about with the D^rs wife & a nurse, & whose state varies much; but I suppose she is regularly insane— She is also uneasy about M^r H; & is most anxious for him to give up the Pres. R. S— His friends persuade him to keep it. He is often very ill, but Sir Andrew tells him he wants nothing but rest. I also made a pilgrimage across the Park (very full & brilliant) to see Leo & B. & was charmed with their quiet & cheerful nook & all red brick around them

The house quite big enough for comfort & very tasteful & pretty. Bee looks m. better & was expecting M^rs Fraser. Hen had intended coming here with me, but she has had a sharp attack at Oxford (the Dicey's) It might have turned to inflam. of bowels, & she was in bed several days with a D^r. I hope to hear that she has been able to go home today, indeed her D^r said she might travel on Sat. but R. wanted her to make sure by staying till today. Poor Elinor is miserably ill & quite hopeless about herself, so that Hen. felt that even being ill in her house was r. a benefit to her as filling her mind.

It was very pleasant coming home to open airs & lilacs & laburnums & the lawn w. Ras & Ruth tumbling about on it—

Bessy had been for a day to Royston (Alice Hutchinson Horace went to Laura & Ida dined w. us the 2 days M^r Innes is coming to us today for one night & George & Maud to meet him at dinner. Miss Thorley comes tomorrow for 2 nights. I shall not invite any one to dine w. her; but have engaged a tea at George's to see his house & wife, & no doubt Ida will do something civil. to her— but she has the great merit of enjoying seeing every thing.

Goodbye my dear William | yours E. D–