From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [7 December 1887]

My dear William

I am glad to say that Hen. came down to us yesterday, looking pretty well— I believe her last feverish attack was the consequence of a cold—

I went to the Grange on Monday, to see myself hanging up. It was too dark & Maud has the fashion of having muslin curtains all over the window which cannot be drawn, also having a low veranda, however I managed just to make out that I looked dignified & George is highly pleased with it— Gwen is very amusing at her own house bubbling over w. spirits more than any of you used to be. She enjoys George rushing roaring at her as a bear & seizing her, which requires good nerves—

When she comes here to see me she is quieter—

Little x is to make its appearance after Christmas. I have been writing to Theodora to ask her to call on Ella Du Puy some day when she is in Boston— I felt it rather an unreasonable request knowing how much Theo. has on her hands; but Ella would feel it a kindness & a pleasure just to know T. She & her married sister live in a flat in Hereford Street with every sort of convenience to save trouble, a speaking tube to the outer doors & an electric bolt to open it when they learn who is called upon— Ella's health entirely failed in New York where she set up as a house decorator, but she now gets a chance commission or 2 which pleases her— She has a rich & generous brother, who wants her to do nothing, but she had much rather do work—

You ask about Aunt C. She is in a very suffering state with much pain. Her D^r wishes her to stay entirely in bed; but she cannot enduce that. She is always subject to a great deal of pain, or I should think by Sophy's account that she is seriously ill; but Sophy tells as little as possible. I am afraid the passage about her father (when C. was a boy caring for nothing but sport) has vexed her a good deal, & I was within an ace of asking Frank to leave it out; but it was amusing & one did not think the least the worse of the D^r for it. I am afraid no after proof of F's love & respect for his father will make up for it. She has very little reading aloud now— A book seller told Richard that he had sold 70 copies of this in the same time as 24 copies of Lord Shaftesbury's Life (viz. the 1^st day)

Albert Dicey's speech at Dublin was not reported. A man said to him— "It is a pity heaven has not given you a better voice or you might convert all Ireland."

Albert said the audience felt so different from an English one, so sympathetic but then one may say they fell they are fighting for their lives—

I hope in the course of the winter that Sara will force herself to the tiresomeness of a fortnight at Brighton. Goodbye it is nice to think how soon I shall see you— Ida sails on the 15^th so she will be safe at home I trust by the 20^th I believe it has all been a disapp^t— & quite an unfit risk & exertion for such a precious article as she is—- However she has been quite well inspite of 2 horrible passages to Canary & back—

My best love to my dear Sara E, D— Dec 7— Ruth's birthday 4^yrs old—