From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [24 October 1886]

My dear William

I am surprized at the entire despair about Ireland just now, where according to the Times so many are making use of (Lord Ashbourne's?) act to buy land—

I fear the Gladstonians will be factious enough to oppose the new rules of Procedure, just as the Tories did, when it did not suit them— I want to see the 2-Rev. wh. gives a verbatim account of how the Irish behave in Parl.^t Also there is in it a most Crokerish attack on M^r Gosse for his publication of his literary lectures. Picking out small inaccuracies wh. do not signify, & w. a most spiteful tone—

There is an answer in the Ath. by M^r Gosse wh. is very complete until one has read the other side—

Bessy is reading to me Parkman's Wolfe & Montcalm— The French & the Indian appear in it such horrible wretches that I rejoice heartily that they are got rid of & that the Indians are exterminated— The Orchard & the Grange are both over done w. guests— The last having been M^r & M^rs Goodhart who stayed almost a week at each house— as they could not get into Springfield at once—

The Horaces have had a short visit from Sir A. & Lady Clay, both very pleasant if they had been fresh for them. I don't think Maud is ever tired of guests & Hen. who is there now, says she makes a v. pleasant hostess [lady,] & wishing you to do whatever you like—

George is certainly better, & enjoys Gwen very heartily–-

By the way the little baby (Franks) has taken such a good turn that she has gained more that 2^lb in 3 weeks— Ellen brings her home this week.

I do not understand what you & George are investigating, but I have got out all my bills of 1882. I think there are none of them wh are not household &c— We have a number of freshmen on our list this time— Frank Wedgwood is very open & bright & tall & handsome to my surprise

Reggie Hooker is nice & not a bad play fellow for Bernard. It is a great loss to him not having been to an English School—

Noel is such a swell (Cap^t of Eton) that I need not fash myself about him—

I am in hopes you & Sara will come to us at Xmas & that she will stay a reasonable time & you too perhaps, now you are 3 partners— I think Xmas is not likely to be so cold as it is afterwards & I sh^d so enjoy a comf sight of you— I so enjoy gas in my bedroom that I am putting it into the bow room— wh. is large & dark—

Bessy & I are still full of zeal to follow your example in enlarging the d–room– & we will have B. Marshall down before the spring to settle it—

I came across an old letter of yours from Stockbridge— What a charming, happy country; & what a nice homely set of people—

I enclose one of these little books wh. are showering all about— though I dare say you have dozens of them—

My best love to Sara | yours E. D—