From Elizabeth Darwin to H. E. Darwin [12 September 1868]

Dear Henrietta

All Uncle Rases servants have kindly invited themselves down here  The coachman I forgot his name arrived last night however Mamma would not let him sleep in the house. The scientifics are coming today Mrs Wallace perhaps too. Our dinner party went off very well Everybody liked Mrs Harry and though her pleasant. Mrs Reed is a very awful woman if you meet her eye by chance it is so very unpleasant being examined at. She came in a low dress and as every body els had high dress she have must felt rather uncomfortable I think. Mrs Clough is a nice woman I think. Our waiting was really very good which is a wonder for us. I don't think much for Langam Reed he asked me in a patronising way—whether I played—whether I sang and whether I draw, and when I saw no to all, then he said—what do you do. Yesterday George and Frank went to dine at the Carters—I must say I think they might have asked me. I should have like very much to have gone. Not that I think I should have cared for the dinner very much, but I should like to be asked. Alice has proposed to George and Frank to go with her and the Nortons down the Thams. I darsay it will never take place—I should like to go very much if it does take place and if they ask me. Mamma had a headache yesterday after the dinner which was very odd, it did not do Papa any harm though he had had three scientifics the same day, Mr Pelower from Croydon, two others whos name I can't remember. The last idea for horses is to buy a pair for the carriage and to keep old Blyer for nothing but the way of () and for your riding, and of course to sell Dagma who does not have half work enough. On Tuesday George Frank and I are going to Leith Hill Place and shall stay till Friday or Saturday the boys say they shall walk home, but I dont much think they will. Leith Hill will be very nice in this weather I always think it looks prettier in the autumn than at any other time.

Monday.

Mr and Mrs Wallace Mr Blythe and Mr Jenner Weir came on Saturday, Mr Blythe is a dreadful bore he talks so incessantly and is always interrupting—Wallace is very pleasant I think—Mrs Wallace is a pretty meek little thing with very little in her I should say though not actually silly. She looks absurdly young to be his wife—the first evening was very tiresome Mr Blyth spoilt everything but Sunday evening was much bette somehow— we took Mrs Wallace to church in the morning and the gentlemen went a walk⁠⟨⁠ing⁠⟩⁠ in the afternoon we took her to play croquet and feed on her wallnuts and aples. And they are just going now. Mr Roberts called here the other day he is a sensible mannered man and seems a gentleman but he certainly is irish his accent comes out much more in talking than in reading. A 'letter came from Amy Crofton for you the day before yesterday, we opened it and Mamma thinks it is not wor⁠⟨⁠th⁠⟩⁠ sending you. Colonel Crofton has retired from the army at last, and he is made or is going soon to be made a general. Poor Amy is very low at parting with her beloved soldiers, and says she wishes she was a boy and then she might try for Woolich. The brothers are sent to school at Tunbridge Wells and they are going to try and find a house there. They are staying in London now—and Mamma has asked her to come here next week after we have come back from Leith hill.

Today it is quite cold and so it was yesterday we were quite glad of a fire yesterday night and sat round it like in winter. I have not read very much "Auf der Höhe" it is rather difficult where I am now. We were rather surprised not to get a letter from you this ⁠⟨⁠m⁠⟩⁠orning but I suppose we shall hear tomorrow. Aunt Elizabeth is come back to her house and is busy cutting down again.

Now I shall stop as I have not go anything more to say so goodbye

Your affec. | E Darwin