From Leonard Darwin to Emma Darwin [24 February 1880?]

Dear Mother,

I got a weeks leave, and come down here on Friday, without having made any plans whatever for this week. I have been having a very pleasant quiet time, and shall go up to London tomorrow with William and Sara. On Saturday a Miss Bucton came here for the Sunday; she is a niece of Miss Williams, and is a pleasant girl, with plenty of conversation to put it mildly. On Saturday M^r Sanders and Capt. Beamish RE dined here, but besides this we have been quite quiet, and I have been pleasantly vegetating with Boswell's Johnson, and a French novel. I read a little thing by James called a bundle of letters which I thought very amusing; Sara said she would send it to Down, because I said I thought you would like it. It will only give you two or three reads, so it wont be much if you dont. Sara seems pretty well, which is a good thing before her London visit. I wrote to Rose a very short note of congrats, and got an answer this morning which was more than I expected; I am glad I did it as I think she was pleased. I had a letter from Col. Chester just I left Chatham, saying that he had completed his investigation, and would send the results to Down before long. If any parcel comes for me it will probably be from him, and had better remain till I come. He says that he has added four generations to the pedigree, but I am not sure what Darwin he starts with, and it may be only three. This will interest father but not you I suppose.

William and self are probably going to the Crystal Palace concert on Saturday, and then I shall come home from there. I wonder whether Frank would care to meet us there. If so I would write and tell him when I know for certain if we go. I have asked Uncle Ras to give me a bed for the rest of the week.

Your affec son | Leonard Darwin