From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [September–October 1871]

My dearest Body

I only wrote a line yesterday [symbol for yesterday] to Brieg. It feels so pleasant that you will soon be here. I hope you will find some charming bit of mountain or Lake to leave Switz with a nice taste in your mouth. I think you have stuffed as much happiness into the last 5 weeks as most people make last for a year. You can have but one honeymoon however though many moons nearly as good. We have had capital letters from the boys, but I think they shall wait for you as they are to be kept. Frank says "how dismal you must be now dear old Retta is gone"! George has rec^d the letter & several others & wanted some of yours. Lady L. has just been in at 10.30, bringing a German Professor who was dying to see F. so she just let him stay 10 minutes. She is a little of Cirie too only I think your Cirie is more to be depended on—

""Such a nice note from M^rs L. I hope he is a nice man."" I wish you had left it open. I was convinced that you had thought that I sh^d think it was not civil enough & that you had carefully shut it up. M^rs F. was sitting by & I unwittingly addressed her which of course brought out a torrent about the American gentleman who was coming to Barlaston. Lady L. looked a little surprised but answered simply ""You must be very glad to see him""— F.F. goes down today to Eliz. as it suits better & when she comes back for a day or 2 next week I shall not ask Eliz up as I do better without her sitting by colouring up at F's folly. With my knitting I get quite stolid; but poor soul I think she gets more unbearable everytime I see her.

Anne is come back quite set up. She met her brother from Kew, who is getting on well & is one of the ""students"" & D^r H. takes an interest in him. I will give her y^r message. Bessy sticks to coming home on Sat. tho' asked to stay longer. I am glad of it, as it is better to stick to her time with such hospitable people, who I dare say ask every body to stay longer. Also I shall be v. glad to have her at home. Horace is v. near the end of S^t Matthew. He is going cub hunting tomorrow.

Well I must write to Jessie to ensure them before the 21^st or after. We have had 3 lovely days which is good for Lenny who is at work all day. Yours my dear w. love to Richard.

D^r H. very low about his mother & sister both ill & he has had a grand row w. Ayrton, w. rather alarms F. but I sh^d think Gov^t w^d not turn him out for the sake of such an odious wretch.