From Emma Darwin to W. E. Darwin 23 [November 1888]

My dear W

I am so sorry to hear of Aunt Grace being ill—

Bessy went yesterday to Leeds & I hope this mild weather will continue— Mary (M^rs Wicksteed) has the mistaken notion that hospitality required her to give a dinner party whilst Bessy is with her, & it requires so m. attention & preparation on her part that it loses so much of her company to Bessy— Jolly Miss Williams called the other day— She was staying w. Miss Gladstone. She knows all about the Wicksteeds all her life & says this one Hartley is the best of men, & rich, in which I fear she is wrong, by the very humble way in wh. they live.

Hen. is staying on w. me in her absence— & last night the Horaces dined—

We were discussing who sh^d succeed Sir Warren— & Horace said "Leonard is the right man", but I doubt whether he is rapid enough in decision—

Some time ago he told me that he was sure Sir C. w^d have to go— He quarrelled w. every one & is so conceited.

I think the faction, or factiousness of the Opp. about this 5,000000 is beyond all the rest of their conduct— It is voted for the very object that all have said is the object in Ireland viz. the Irish [illeg] the land— & then some of them have the face to object that it will make absentees of the landlords—

Hen. & I are deep in Snow's Moral Ideal— I think it is a book that will cause a good deal of interest. In some parts clear enough & then so mystical & refining in others I don't know what she means— M^rs Sidgwick said that her husband was going to get it.

My best love to Sara— I hope she will soon have a better acct—

Yours Dear W. | E D—-