From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [March 1876]

My dearest H—

I was very glad to get yours. Its expressions are very precious to F. & me. I am glad you know that we do thoroughly love R.

I have sent off a sort of avant courrier about the invalid carriages to Sophy; but I shall not be surprised if we hear that At C. will not hear of any thing but the old fashioned way.

Lord Sackville says he knows that the road invalid [carrs] were used by spine patients but that they are very seldom called for, w. is of itself a bad sign— I am afraid any lying on the floor w^d not do for C. owing to the imposs of one person to lift her up to change the posture. He offers to get one to be tried for a few miles & if we find she will consent to any thing of the sort we mt see about that.

I have forwarded Lord. S. information & also yours about the carrying chair—

At Eliz. came up for a P.M. sit, bringing a nice little letter from Stevie, in w. he says [Munny] is soon coming & is learning the violin!!

Eliz. had not minded at all about Ed. at least not enough to remember it, for I think she did mind it a little at the time.

Bessy rather liked her Opera to her surprise but they were almost the only audience in the paying places—only fancy the stupidity of the Potteries— Rose did not go—

yours my dear | E.D—