From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin [17 March 1865]

My dearest Body

I was very glad to get your pleasant letter & read it to the folks & now they say they want to see the one to Hope. It is very odd the porters being so fond of you for you never look helpless.

A^t F & Hensleigh came yesterday & are comf & pleasant. Papa was poorly last night & went to bed. This m^g. he enjoyed a talk with Uncle H upon Max Müller for one thing who H. says is all wrong & has partly converted Papa to that opinion. I have not seen Hensleigh comfortably for anage so I enjoy him.

Yesterday I had a call from Ham. Richardson. & he was very gossippy & agreeable. He has passed his exam. successfully & is to be on the staff at Netley. He was very open about Miss S^t Croix who came to M^rs R's after a break off or a jilt not being happy at home; but on her journey she met with a French Baron who fell in love & pursued her got acquainted with her friends in London turned out highly respectable & now they are going to be married. I am afraid dear Spengle is a black guard. The other day when their Aunt was making a great noise he sent over by the maid to know if they were murdering her. She has taken to screaming violently when she is quite comf. & with no motive.

Hilary has been too unwell to go to B.mouth. She is in Victoria S^t. Another good acc^t of Louisa. M^r. Carden giving a better acct of her eyes than has yet been