From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin [March 1870]

My dearest Body

Hope has been so good in sending all particulars to you that I shall not enter on that sad subject, except to say that neither Harry nor Jessie went to the funeral only the sons and daughters.

Jessie says ""Harry sleeps tolerably—his bursts of anguish are terrible to witness, for he cannot prevent his mind reverting to that terrible scene & to the ever gnawing feeling that he m^t have made more efforts to save his beloved son, which was quite impossible, for it was all over in a minute & he was blinded and stunned.

I have had a most sweet letter from my poor Helen today, full of love to us all & above all for Harry to whom she is only closer bound by their mutual loss & she does truly appreciate him. Dearest E. when I think of all he was to us & of his sweetness & lovely character I wonder I can bear up at all, but for Harry's sake I am thankful I am well & was able to go to him & spare him the terrible lonely journey he w^d have had.

His sufferings at the beginning of it when he traced his last walk (when we were both at Bath) were terrible, & the end when we came in sight of the haven, on w. they had made many happy expeditions together, was almost worse — He has constant relief in tears— I will send you the rest of her letter.

I was so glad to see Godfrey yesterday looking well & brisk. He gave a famous account of y^r strength & said what a blessing y^r joining them had been–-

Now for business—

I will not enter on the Polly question yet.