From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [1 June 1888]

My dear William

I dislike the date of this letter more than any one in the year, one feels that summer will soon be gone, & this year we have hardly had more than 2 warm days—

I was sorry to hear from Hen. that little Grace is not well; but that she was better. I think it was you that chaperoned me to the installations last year, which amused me so much & did not tire me, & I am resolved to go this year on the 9^th. George will place me near the door & I shall not attempt to sit out the whole 14 tedious speeches of the public orator. I sh^d most have liked to see John Bright but there is no chance of him— Lord Randolph is on the P. of Wales' request" & I am sorry for any honoure done to him—

I am afraid there is no chance of Arthur Sedgwick being in time, or we sh^d most gladly receive him for the occasion—It is said that every M. A— can only have one admittance, & I don't know whether that applies to the resident M. As only— Every soul is wanting to go so they are obliged to have strict limits— I believe I am to be called a "distinguished visitor". We mean to go to Down on the 14^th— & we shall find most of the azaleas dead which feels rather sad your father was so fond of them.

I called on M^rs Newall at her new home, which I think you must have seen as the Peel's used to live there— He is now master of Christs. It is one of the most charming cottagy villas I ever saw, rather like a glorified Petleys old mulberry & yews & wisteria, & she does so enjoy it after the staring Huntingdon road— Every thing old & well cared for. We had your old friend M^r Carr to dinner also the [Pertz]. I feel inclined to make a match between him & Annie Pertz but unluckily it was Dora. He always strikes me as both nice & agreeable; & how he comes to have such an intolerably tiresome sister I can't make out.

Horace seems comf. at Roy^at, tho' it is a stupid place in a flat plain, with a fine view of Clermont Ferrand if you can see it— He has got the true water. cure wholesome feeling of never wanting to do any thing in the world— They have been almost driven out of the Hotel by the table d'hôters esp. a M^r Hollins an M. P. who knows everything & has corresponded w. y^r father— They are now in lodgings & Ida relieves her dullness by going & buying something when she can. Claud made the effort of joining them at Roy^at for a few days; but he seems to be very languid & poorly— I hear from Boofy who dictated a very nice letter to me, that he is soon expected at Abinger. I don't know why the election at S.ampton has caused such especial triumph & dismay— I think M^r Guise's character being so unpopular must have had some effect. I think Gladstone is as dishonest & factious about the public house question as on every other— I wonder whether the Pope's sense of morality had made him ashamed of himself— With best love to Sara (& Button) yours may dear W^m | E D

We expect the Ritches & Leonard on Sat— if M^rs Annie comes— but she is so often ill w. terrible headaches—