From Sara Sedgwick to H. E. Darwin 14 June 1869

My dear Miss Darwin.

We are at last established in our summer home, and if you could look in upon us this evening, you would find a most domestic party than the rectory every presented to your view! We are so removed from the world, both in our modes of life, and, in our surroundings that Queen's Gate Terrace, with its accompanying frivolity and excitement seems like a dream, or a memory of some entirely different state of existence. But I am beginning at the end of my story instead of taking it in a rational and decorous manner. To go back to the twenty fifth May—journée fatale—as the frenchman said of the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo—the setting sun of which found us out of England—our voyage across, though in fact a very fair one, made Susan and Grace so miserably ill, and the best of as so wretchedly uncomfortable that we were more than thankful when the white walls of Antough came in view. However we were well repaid for the long sail by getting there. The Cathedral is very grand, in parts most beautiful, & the pictures interesting—tho' I would wish that Rubens had devoted himself more to Gods and Goddesses less to religious subjects! Cologne was our next resting place, and then you can imagine knowing the route. How the pleasure of each day increased until the joy burst upon us of being really in Switzerland—by the Rhine to Bingen, then to Heidelberg, where we spent a day. Then to Bâles, and so to Lausanne—I am sorry I cant share your feelings of dislike, for the latter place, it is such a strange old town, with a certain of individuality of its own that quite takes my fancy. It was impossible to remain, for there was no house to be found in its neighborhood to suite us. So we came to Vevey—the situation of which is certainly far finer than that of Lausanne, and were so fortunate as to find this secluded and rural farm house wherein to rest our wandering steps. It is about a mile to the north of Vevey and not a very great way from L'Cháteau Blonay—but so sheltered by the hillsthat we seem far away from everything. The upper floors, on which we reside, are nicely and comfortably filled up, apparently for summer letting, while under us together with two cows and endless farm implements, how strange are the customs of the old worlds—is to be found an intelligent and amiable farmer's family who provide us with some of the necessaries of life & whose daughters is one femme de Charable. François keeps house for us, and we have a cook, who in her dimensions resembles the lady of whom Sidney Smith said that it would be committing bigamy for one man to marry her! The cows have been a subject of discourse in the family, for tho' their existence has been reported to us we did not really believe in them until today when on returning from my walk I saw them drive out to be watered—Our days are passed in the pleasantest way reading & writing or working in the morning and taking delightful walks in the afternoon. Is it not the most beautiful country in the world? And are we not fortunate in being here? Tonight M^r. Norton has a cold and is a little under the weather, but with that exception we have all been quite well, and Susan and the children wonderfully so. Now, my dear Miss Darwin, have I not set you a good example in the way of egotism and will you not timidly follow it by telling me every thing concerning yourself. It will be pleasant to be once more in communication with you all and to know that you hae enjoyed your visit in Wales. I hope your father has gained his health by the change of air and that the long journey was not as disagreaable to him as might have been. We are constantly thinking of our dear English friends, and spite of our happiness here, look back to certain departed pleasure with fond regret. I hope you sister reached home safe & well at the proper time, and that she had had much pleasure during her stay on the Continent. M^r. Norton, Jane, Grace Susan and Charles, all send you all their love, and with mine also

Believe me always yrs aff^ly | Sara Sedgwick