From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [26 October 1885]

My dear William

I should like to see the M. S. of the Journal very much if you will bring it with you—-

The Wicksteads (Mary Hancock) are leaving us this morning— She has done well to reward his constancy—

Horace has enjoyed talking shop with him— He gained a gold medal at the Inventions for a machine for stretching cold iron.

He is evidently a nice man & refined— They both enjoyed their visits & Mary as affectionate & warm hearted as of old—

I was so glad of the beaut. Sunday both for our guests & yours & I am glad Hen. had such a charming view of Stoneham— Your drawing room has turned her head— & made her all the more discontented with ours here—

It is nice to think how soon we shall see you.

With best love to Sara | Yours E. D

Hen– was much charmed with Lily & thought her not looking ill— She was constrained to own that Button's figure was not quite what it had been