From Elizabeth Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [1878]

Dearest Henrietta,

Thank you for your letter which I was very glad to get, letters are such a particular blessing when one's away. I didn't in the least want my parasol, & I dont really believe after all I shall want my dress, they don't dress here so my net will be quite fresh.

It will be nice if Hope asks me to Dilhorne  I should particularly like to stay there. Yesterday wasnt a bad day though there were some heavy showers. Margaret Sophy & I took a drive first to Ockley & then to Kitland, & certainly their driving is slow  the horse walked up every little incline, Margaret remonstrated once & said ""oh Sophy cannot you make him trot,"" & Sophy said I will ask him but I don't suppose he will, so she tried a gentle little flick which had no effect & he went on his own slow pace.

The showers were tremendous & we sheltered under some trees during one on Ockley Green, but between the showers it was lovely. We walked round the garden at Kitlands which is one of the prettiest I ever saw.

This morning we have been to church all driving in the wagonet. The children are very chattering & are certainly not little Wedgwood or little Arthur Williams. Ralp is pretty & rather engaging. Henry seems to know everything by their account, they say they can never talk of anything about which he doesnt know something, & they cannot think how he picks up his information.

I am very sorry Laura won't be back before I go however I didnt much expect she would, but I should have liked to have seen her & her house very much.

I think the illustrated news shows such wonderfully bad taste, there is a picture of Mrs John Bright's funeral called a quaker funeral, & there is Mr John Bright with a pocket handkerchief to his eyes, & there is nothing different in it from any other funeral so there is no earthly reason for putting it in, & it is disgusting taste.

I do wish the rain would leave off  the whole afternoon has been showery, we have all been up into the wood with Aunt Caroline in her chair. Their azalias arent nearly so fine as our's which is pleasant. Sophy too badly wants a lesson in gathering, she goes into the wood where there are very large bushes & after great consideration cuts off one here & there.

Goodbye my love to Laura if she is staying with you still | your affec. | E Darwin

I admire Margaret very much  she is so dignified & graceful, but somehow she isnt a person I feel quite at ease with.