From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [28 September 1875]

Dearest H.

I am disappted at your account. Tho' if exercise is bad for R. all that Lawn Tennis wd be enough to account for a fall back— I very much hope that Dr A. C. will not put a veto on such a small exertion as coming here. You will soon be run dry in books, tho' Gibbon is a good piéce de resistance—

A letter from Eliz. says she will be home on Friday. Snow's visit at Barlaston has been unlucky, in bed all the first day with a bad cold, & the next day Godfrey (who catches a cold from any one) was afraid to sit very near her, so c^d not talk comf. They did not venture to tell her why, & perhaps it was putting her in too disagreeable a position to tell her she was reckoned infectious. But I am afraid she may have come away in any degree of hurt.

Bessy is gone in the rain to her Mad^lle. today— She is quite pleasant eno' to talk to; but I am afraid her singing is not good eno' for London—She sang Gounod's Berceuse, 100 times below Effie, & not m. above Caroline's performance of it— Sir J. Benedict brings her forward & plays for her &c— Her voice has the regular sharp French sound with no. butter or cream in it. Ithel is come to the F's w. is serious for them & for us. Frank thinks he will come here just like any body else—

Detty said the other day ""I think I really almost like my lessons."" Louisa finds the repose of Miss Rootes delightful & it makes her realize what a worry Miss Hunt was. She was always expecting troubles in the schoolroom—

I went to see your old pupil Charley Os. who is following the rest of his family. His face has not grown an inch since he was 10 yrs old & looks so pinched— He is very deaf—luckily—as it prevented his hearing his mother say he wd never be better. He likes reading. I don't think she will feel it very m. tho' of course more than the death of John the good for nothing one—

I have had such an affect. & grateful letter from Emily as would make me ashamed—only I am sure of her sincerity. She is quite unfit for work & not without pain still. I am so glad Miss Th. came at once & so is she.

Here is a 3^rd letter of Leo. who is most virtuous. George & Horace helped by Fr. & Arthur Ruck were hours on Sunday setting up the machine. & contrary to their expect. it did act all night (but will have to be improved) The wind was m. against them. Horace is m. pleased at a certain tool he made some years ago being [thot] so useful by Anderson, that he has ordered a number to be made. It is a self adjusting nipper for screwing nuts the men often borrowed it. You shall see W^ms last— 3. days rain & not very vigorous I am afraid. but v. thick w. the [Frere] family.

I do think R feeling so well between his bad days must be a very good sign—

I am afraid Laura must be very unwell to have any thing like an hour's fainting—

Goodbye my | dearest w. my best of | loves to R. & I do | hope we shall see you | soon— E.D—-