From Elizabeth Darwin to H. E. Darwin 4 March [1870]

Dear Henrietta.

Thank you for your letter, which amused me very much and rather schocked Mamma, how very odd it is that Uncle Frank should be a man so entirely without tact and judgement. Your Alassio part of the journey sounded very delightful, it gave me a pang of envy, I should have liked to have seen your great beauty too which is what I never have seen. I expect you must be having summer weather for it is wonderfully warm here, yesterday I sat out of doors and read, and I think today is quite as warm and bright everything looks very pretty. The last two or three days, (directions) have been going on about the servants hall, first the old plan of enlarging the little room was thought of, but the servants did not at all like the idea of losing their little room, and then a brillant plan was thought of which everybody claims, I certainly did propose the cellar long ago and was laughed to scron, but Mamma revived the idea, and its going to be done, Ledger has been over and says it will make a very good thing and I believe he will begin on it very soon. It will make a good large room under the billiard room, good sized windows will be made, and Father says he believes it will be the pleasantest room in the house. On Saturday we are going up to Queen Anne, and thank goodness I have hardly any shopping to do. Last Friday Aunt Elizabeth and I went up to see the old pictures and had a good look and lunched at Cumberland Place. I suppose you have heard that Sir John has got in for Maidston and has taken his seat in parliament already, there was great fuss on Saturday when he came home. The whole village went out to meet him the horses were taken out of the carriage and was dragged by a lot of men from Fanborough hill up to his own door, pretty hard work I should think, Mrs Henry Lubbock who was in the carriage did not feel very easy when she was being dragged down Farborough hill,—-Sir John made a speech on the steps, and beer was out served without any limits, Parslow and all our servants were there but had tea genteely in the house. I believe Sir Joh won't have a house in London but only ldoging and go up tow or thre times a week.

Polly is rather recovering her spirits, but she was very depressed, oh I was to angry when first I learnt that she was going to have puppies just because Father was so weak minded that he did not like her to be shut up, it was such a mistake however I hope when you are at home it will be managed better, oh I wish Polly was not a feamale Hope and I were wondering how you could get one, however I must try to pear it. The puppy is an a dismial blow  George was here yesterday as he wont be in London next Saturday, he will be at Cambridge he was there last Saturday too, but Lenny will be up and Effy and Hope are going to a play with us. No (name) is being read aloud again it does very well a second time, I had never read it before—the great fault of the book is that there is so little object for her schemeing particularly when she wants to get at that secret letter at Admiral Bartrams for what good could she get by seeing it, but I daresay you have forgotten the book by this time 

Saturday.

I could not finish this letter yesterday as we were busy all morning filling bags with tea and peppermint drops for the union, Mamma Aunt Elizabeth and I went there in the afternoon, and really had a most pleasant drive, if only the trees had been green one might have thought it fine, we took some toys which we wanted to give the children, but they did not come home from walking till just when we were going and as we had waited a long time we left them to be divided. I never saw such a dreadful looking man as the schoolmaster is, he looks as if he had comitted a murder or probably man. I pity the poor chidlren. I did not go over the sick wards but sat in Mrs Sukies private room which I was sorry for after it was such a bore making conversation. I thought of Mrs Carney in Oliver Twist when I heard her sudden change of manner from civil to me to rough to a Pauper.

We have got a horried day, pouring torrents and north wind, I only hope it will change tomorrow for our London visit, Father actually proposed himself not to go too early wasn't that wonderful. I suppose you will have got George's letter by this time it was sent to Cannes some time ago. I have been rather doubting whether I should propose myself to Barlaston for a week this spring, as I paid such a very short visit before, and as I am nearly sure Rose would liek to have me, though she would never think of asking me but however I have nearly made up my mind against it, it is perhaps as well never to propose oneself, what do you think? The kind Darbyshries are going to give them Plasmoor again for May and June.

What a wonderful person you are to be able to write so many letters we got other one yesterday. I think it is so difficult writing letters when one is travelling, I like to have complete leisure to write a letter, but I suppose you don't feel that as you can write quick.

Your affectionate Bessy | Goodbye now