From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield 16 [September 1874]

Dearest H.

I wrote a scrap to Baveno [symbol for yesterday] for the chance of y^r catching it. I may as tell you again what letters I have written, viz 1 to Lugano & 2 or 3 to Como. I do trust you are really making a turn to being a little better & stronger. Pretty things are not so fatiguing on the Lakes or at Venice as in Switz. It is v. unlucky being too late for the ladies. I suppose you will be at home sometime in the 1st week in Oct. & I hope u will come here straight. The weather keeps charming here—We have been alone these 2 days, F. & Amy being in Q. A. finishing their affairs, & I expect they will have the fun of moving in in a week's time, which they will enjoy like children. I had to conceal from F. that they chose their drawing room paper at Morris's without asking the price, however it is a very common looking one tho' harmless & can't be more than 3^d or so.

The other day Sir J. called & F is giving him so m. assistance about his flower & insect paper that I hope his old friendly feeling will a good deal return. Lady L. was at the door, but did not come in. She had had another fall, poor soul, with a candle stick in her hand, which cut her under the chin and pierced a small artery & caused a great flow of blood. She was v. m. weakened but did not look ill. I hear M^r Brodhurst thinks it likely that the railway accident so many years ago has left some mischief in abeyance, which has only appeared now.

The same day M^rs Hamilton called. M^rs J. H. is just expecting her 3^rd child & is so delicate that are very uneasy about her. M^rs H. brought 2 little beauties in the carriage. Esther is here till Anne comes home, & looks well & highly pleased at her prospects w. you. Uncle Harry started 3 times to come to Eliz. Once he missed the train, but the 2 others he probably changed his mind en route.

W^m has engaged Horace to go to Scotland with him by sleeping car on Wed. night, he said he sh^d not have spirit to go unless H. w^d come, but he was only too happy—W^m is paymaster too w. gives a flavour. George got up to Ullswater most comf. making a good bed tho' not in a sleeping car. It is a charming place with a long promontory w. makes it as good as 2 lakes, & endless pretty walk—a little two storied Inn, where they are en pension, & constant soc. w. the F. Harrisons & some Marshalls who are near. He & his grapes has a most cordial reception, & they go their expeds. & leave him to his smaller ones.

Lett. is come to work, but not strong & I have got Tasker to come & help him with the cuttings which is a long job. I am happy to say that M^rs Brookes has resolved to stay in the village, which is a blessing for me & Brooks, as she is always after him when she is up here.

Uncle Frank comes here for a fortnight on the 25^th & I think Rose is sure to find him here when she comes with you.

Eras had not spirit to gp to L.H.P which was as well, as they had Langtons & little Williams, which w^d have been 2 many children tho' Eras likes some.

Ed. comes tomorrow by himself to Eliz which is snug for her.

Goodbye my dear I am looking out from an acct from B. of the Bel Alp. yours, E.D. yours from Domo d'Assola came on the 15^th only three days a letter from Laura will come by 1^st opp

Wed ^16^.

So glad to get your Baveno letter of the 13^th (how quick things are) & I hope you will be enjoying things a bit now  I shd like the Lakes better than the Mts. I see a letter from Bessy to Mrs Francis which I am sending on to them. I am glad u ended yr drive w. an easy mind (quo horses.)

I suppose you will tell Col. Morland the state of the case—having married the man makes all the difference in the eyes of the world— honesty is the chief point.