From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [after 25 April 1873]

I have kept in doors all day—except a visit to Mrs Brooks—finding her in a wretched state. Some of the servants report that Mr Ff. has softened off matters, has left off intoning, so that the only change is singing the Psalms & his kneeling in the aisle w. his back to us to saying the Litany. I am sure the village will feel quite flat at his having subsided so soon—indeed Mrs Evans said as much e.g. that she was going to church but was afraid she was too late to see the fun—

Well Lenny's affair is quite settled, Cardwell having agreed to appoint him if Airy applied w. he has done— So that is settled & I wish he was safe home again. We have found our 2 quiet days most refreshing Mrs H. has written an amiable Collins & I believe liked her v. dull visit.

The verandah is started & getting on & I am surprized what an improvement to the room it is to have the middle window turned into a door. We must get Dougall to give us a difft fastening as the present one is too troublesome—

The Howorths came to luncheon & I played to her— He is a great man for inspiring confidence tho' apparently so dull he spent his evenings in visiting all the widows in the village ending w. a prayer meeting in the chapel— He has a set of young men working under him at Bury & seems to have quantities on his hands—schools &c

I think poor old Geo. is quite relieved at having given up the law & fixed on Cambridge for the future. He & Mrs H. a little came to fisty cuffs & then he had to be doubly civil. But they ended on high terms.

How odd Dr Clark's mind having failed again about the money—for I feel sure you & F cd not have been mistaken

I think I am come to an end of my talk so Goodnight my dearest

I like my silk v. m now I see it in the piece—

Eliz. wd not come up today as she said Church wd be dissipation eno' for her—-

Poor Camilla is buffetting in the N. E. in the German ocean

I am afraid Hope's illness is by no means over yet— What extraordinary little suffering Lady L. had. What a happy life hers has been & what a happy death, for her, not being aware—