From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [23 November 1886]

My dear William

A fine frosty day which suits me, but I am glad it did not catch you at L. H. P. I have spent the time of Bessy's absence at Horaces & Georges— both very comf. visits. Indeed I can never see enough of H. & Ida unless I am in the house w. them. I returned home on Sat. to the Litches, & Hen is only just gone— Horace a disagreeable accident while playing w. Rasmus who was acting a bee trying to sting & poked his finger in H's eye & scratched off a bit of the cornea.

The D^r here, who is a good oculist, says that it is a common accident with nurses & mothers & that it will soon be well— He has it "well bandaged up & puts castor oil in the eye—

Maud is a pleasant hostess & keeps every thing comfortable & enjoys her pretty house & her life very heartily, especially Gwen— who now trots about the whole of her time while she is awake— I thnk G. w^d like rather a quieter life wh. Maud would be quite willing to forward, as though she is very hospitable she is not the least greedy after amusement & considers the settling of life much more G's affair than hers— Bessy has had a comf time at Aberdovey, M^r Ruck is away at [Paut]— all the week Bessy has seen a good deal of M^r Stewart.

I am delighted w. Albert Diceys book on Home Rule— Though I wanted no convincing on the subject— John Morley tells him that it will give him a great deal of trouble to controvert & that he congrats him on its success as a friend, but wishes him at the devil as a politician. I have been reading Godfrey's journals in America— It is very full & pleasantly written— His description of Quebec is excellent & was the cream of what he saw as to beauty while Cambridge was as to pleasantness. M^rs Jackson has been obliged to give up the very few minutes of rubbing. It had a surprizing effect of tiring & upsetting her— She is very weak— my best love to my dear Sara—

Bessy returns tomorrow & sleeps tonight at Leo when she will go about the Victoria

J. Morley says that the spirit of fairness in Alberts book is quite admirable

At C. enjoyed your visit much