From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin [7 August 1888?]

My dear William

I was very glad to have your letter. I am sorry you have not spirit enough for Baireuth, especially as the band music at Spa is so worthless. Hen crossed on Monday w. R. & Mildred & went straight on to Brussels where they slept 2 nights— Every sort of care & precaution was taken & Tom Farrer made ev. thing easy, & she hopes she sh^d not be much tired; so I feel pretty easy about her— R. & Mildred are going on to Baireuth; but which day I don't know (they go straight on tomorrow) Just at the last when every arrangement was made by T. Farrer, Mildred from Gunby asked to put off the journey for a day, so Hen sent a tel. to say it could not be, no answer, then another tel. & no wonder for Lena has given orders that no tels are to be sent by messenger, but wait for the post— However they did at least reach her, & she travelled to London on Sat. reaching K. Sq. at 12.30 p.m. What a piece of odd stinginess! Lena had better tel her friends that it was useless to send her a tel— & then they m^t take some other method.

I was m. surprized to receive a letter from Leo. from Paris— The embassy sent an enquiry about boundary in West Africa to the War Office— It was referred to the Intell. Dep. & Leonard was chosen to go to Paris & answer it in person— he seems to think it was not of much use, but is pleased about it as making him known–- He lunched at the embassy, expecting to know nobody but the Sec, M^r Egerton but found the Sidgwicks & M^r Austen Leigh—Lord Lytton did not make a good impression.

He was to return yesterday & I think they go today to the Orchard about the machine, Leo. had a g^t deal of talk w. M^r Egerton— It is one evil of baths that they always seem to be so exhausting at first— I hope Sara will feel stouter soon–- It will be v. nice to have a sight of you on Sat the 18^th

The trains are— on Sunday—

7.10 a m.

8– "

11.15"

My best love to Sara | yours E. Darwin