From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin [December 1868]

My dear Body,

I think you will be very wise to spend all your dissipation upon Jo  I shd like to remember that Quintett but you don't say who it is by.

The P Reading did very well last night, we had 3 dreadful comic songs (not vulgar)but duller than anything ever was heard, one by M^r Mead about Mary Mann & at least 40 verses  Lizzy  J's singing was not very bad not very good & F & I played twice but 2 black sheep, whom I hate the sight of, little Rob & M^rs Spengle, were there. I suppose it was an entire myth of Snow & the 2 yellow sheep (Miss Allens also) M^r Griffin read some more of the Coster monger & M^r Pearson a bit of Handy Andy & M^r Harman the turner stayed and repeated by heart that odious Ingoldrby Ledend (the the eels). It is hard to have had it twice. J is very much struck with the wisdom of W^m's letters; but the idea of a house rather alters his own view of the case, as giving a staute.

Lenny had a little talk with Ed Norman after dinner the only time Ed opened his lips during the evening. He said that in his days the Math. master were not consideredas much as the Classical, & that the school was divided according to the Classics & not Math. So that George might have the rudiments to teach, but he said he thought everything might be altered by this time.

Elinor gave us a beautiful lump of Gruyerè cheese. the best ever tasted. Effie & Snow were there for one night so Lenny did very well. Bromley ball is Jan 8 so you will be at home.

Horace has begun his regular oiling. He is very languid & poorly in the mgs but gets better as the day gets on— He cannot manage to take it I am afraid. The weather is ridiulously warm & rainy & the roads are dreadful. W^m comes today & alas Louisa & I think after all I need not have asked her just now as she is going to Camilla. I will forecast better another time  W^m is very philosophical however & if she is down to breakfast in decent time I think I shall get her away & leave the boys in peace. We have been talking about Wales to Papa, & a house that the Rucks think may be to be had. I think poor F. seems to feel as if the fates w^d have it so, & I sh^d the lass scruple about it as I am sure he would enjoy it so much. Not that he has agreed but we have worked at the Map. Lenny & Horace are very crazy on the scheme. Goodbye my dear I must go out in a gleam of sunshine. My love to Gingo. I hope W^m will stay over Sat. but I don't feel very sure this very busy time.