From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [20 August 1873]

My dearest H.

I have had yr notes from Calais & Paris & I feel quite comf. about yr being up to your usual standard. This is our last day in this ""Sejour de la Paix"" & it is cold & ugly—provokingly for Horace & B. who went yesterday to Lyndhurst, when it was bright but showery—so they will have had one pretty drive or walk. We shall find George & Polly to receive us [symbol for tomorrow] at home where we shall arrive at 12. We can take a whole carriage all the way to Orpington, which saves a good deal of bother. F. has been experimenting most eagerly upon leaves & fruit & water & thinks he has hit something on the head. The boys are much interested in it, w. gives him more zest. I doubt whether it has been quite so good for his resting, but he has been v. well on the whole. The boys & B. have made looking for sites & small estates the chief object of their walks & I feel sure he will buy some land & build, if nothing else turns up. He can do it without much loss of income if he sells his Lincoln. land.

I am glad to think there is not m. the matter w. him tho' he certainly is far from strong; but he is fat & always in good spirits. I want H. to use his eyes for our future use at Lyndhurst: I am afraid however that it must be too highly cultivated near the town to suit F. (We are lighting the fire)— This household is so comf. since the departure of Liddell. He used to have rows w. James as well as w. Mrs Vertue. W^m. is going to do without a house servant & if it were not for Anne's furry head he wd not object to her as parlour-maid. Mrs V. undertakes the waiting when they are alone, & we have Mark. We have been lucky eno' to hit upon a good novel to read all together in the evgs. The Princess of Thule by Black—

You don't mention R. so I hope he is all right

yours | my dear | E.D