From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin [6 November 1863]

My dear Body.

I was very glad to have your pleasant letter. You will find M^rs P. Morley nice on acquaintance. She is sensible too & every body likes her Aunt Jessie & A^t Fanny Hen.

M^r P. is dull but simple & nice. Papa kept mending all yesterday & had an excellent night & is giving the last look to the primula paper this morning.

Horace had an excellent day & did his lesson well & was quite pleased when I told him he was improved.

The new horse went a long drive & behaved well. Horace did not lie down all day & finished in the yard with Guy Faux & bran maskes so we saw nothing of him. If you fancy staying a little longer & they ask you there is no reason you should not & the weather I hope has taken up.

I must write to Miss Thack. & cull some choice anecdotes for her.

D^r B. only gives Horace iron in another form & can form no opinion about his getting well soon—

Yours my dear.

I must congrat you on todays departure. How do you like Harry? Dan't do any thing rash about riding.