From Emma Darwin@ to H. E. Darwin [1868 or 1869]

I got Mrs Os to peg down the verbenas, so we shall get it thoroghly done this year which we never have before. If the music is not returned to Ewer I wish you w^d pick out a long Son. of Schuberts which got in by mistake. Lady L had been at an Irish Church meeting at Blackheath at which Sir John presided. It was packed by the opposite party and even a school was brought to make a row & a most tremendous row they made, so that Sir John was standing up ever so long not able to make himself heard.

When the Irish party spoke Sir John got up & said he hoped our side w^d listen quickly & shew how differently we c^d behave to what they had done & there was dead quiet.

Yours my dear E.D.

Papa says Bismuth being a metal you must not go on indefinitely in point of time taking it & he thinks you shd stop at once unless you are under advice.

You letter just came v. jolly. I am so glad poor Snow is going to have respite.

I have written to John & a scrap to Eliz to shew Lady Alderson. Much as he hates her he does not think there is any coolness in the way she has done it.

You can shew Eliz this.