From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin 11 February [1870]

My dearest Body

Anne & I were rejoicing at y^r absence today, w. therm. at 18 or 20 & a strong N. E. wind. It was very cold the day of our party Wed. but no snow—

They had 45 people: the beaux were Josh, who proposed F's & my health (I suppose he inherits his father's turn for doing the proper thing) Mr Urrell, Nicholls, H. Lubbock's butler &c. The supper for 20 at a time looked grand in the dining room with the plate & branches & it made every thing so much more comf. perparing it before hand & not ahving to clear away for the dancing. Parslow wanted us to come & look at the guests, but we were too shy & they w^d not have known what to say or do any more than we should. They had 2 fiddles but not v. good I am afraid. It sounded too slow. Anne danced I was glad to find. Polkas & waltzes were the favorites.

Polly was much put out. I put her to bed in Annes room & told her she was to stay & as she instantly got on the bed I thought she w^d be content. However after listening to her yelping as if she was been killed for $\frac{1}{4}$ of an hour I let her out to seek her fortune & we heard no more of her.

Lenny is first responsible under officer for Class B. which consists of himself 6 Corporals & 22 privates. so is as high as he can be  Next year however Cardew will be Responsible for Class A. & Lenny under him. It is all changed & there is no one called ""Responsible"" now— When first called out to drill Lenny did not know whether to take carbine or sword, however had time to rush for sword. Then he had to present arms with sword without knowing how & stand in front listening to a jaw from the Gen. He flourished vaguely w. the sword & any how thinks he managed better than Cardew. He & Ruck are coming 0' if the frost lasts.

I have seen a v. pleasant letter from Amy to Eliz. in which she appreciates your being with them v. m. & only thinks the Langtons must own them a grudge— I am always astonished at her letters they are so m. more acute than she appears in conversation. She seems m. disappointed in Godfrey's slow progress. How do you think him in appetite & strength? Cecily also wanted to whether y^r acct was more cheerful. Now I am on Barlaston I am so sorry to hear that little Franky has something like pauses, but now he has cut double teeth he has been some little time without. Eliz. has been up for 2 days & is going to Ravens. this evg if the snow will allow. ""Miss"" Bessy was invited to go w her but she does not return till 0' with G.

F. descries me to tell you that your 2^nd part is come out in Scientific Op. & reads v. smooth & well. G. has also a notice in it of a curious faint rainbow he saw on Sat week high up above the sun like this *P [DIAG HERE] *Q (Did I tell you that y^r 2 sheets of paper are 28 grams heavier than these) It is quite reason eno' against them—

Poor Effie has had a horrid cold w. tweaks of agony. I don't expect B's visit will have been so pleasant owing to that & a Miss Druett being there.

Geo. has sent down the cob he saw w. a young lady of 22 stone on it. He looks v. nice but F. has not tried it owing to the frost. John says he is a slug but that is as well perhaps. Joss's go Monday to Q. A. & I think we shall go Thursday 24 as he will have had a few days rest between. Uncle Ras has been going it again, making Geo. member of R. Institut. w. costs £60. Geo. remonstrated whereupon he said well take the £60 & do what you like w. it: so it was settled.

I think the fates will most likely have it that you will meet W. & G. at Florence— You w^d naturally stay out there till the middle of Ap—& this will be only the 21^st they think of 10 days at Flo. so that you w^d be home about the 1^st week in May— Your whole trip will be v. expensive; but these 2 additions to it will only add the travelling expenses as y^r hotel at Cannes is as dear as any where else— It certainly w^d be a very charming scheme & F. is resigned. Certainly ""abroad"" is not thrown away on you. I only hope you may not turn into a regular travelling old maid living abroad. Bessy & I are going to the High Elms play on Tuesday  Her red gown w. be just right. I have had my winter gown lightened by cutting off train & taking out breadth & it is quite diff^t now & does not tire me—I have left it quite long. I can't find the Old Spec. for Huxley— Sh^d you like a Pall Mall budget sometimes? We have got a nice novel at last Maud Mainwaring it is spirity like Victory Deane—

Well I must write an invite to Dicky so Goodbye—I am deep in Strauss & find him more satisfactory than that other Life of Jesus. He leaves me more positive gain of the teaching of Jesus & a deep respect for his character. I also take to practising when alone. Dulini comes Tuesday w. is the last— They got 16/. the last time—

Post time so Goodbye my dear. I hope y^r cold is better—

Powell called in & said the Reading Room was most prosperous—

Mr Smith declines to give any larger sum to the school as he thinks the poor too much educated he can't get a girl to do this or a boy that &c—