From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [31 May 1877]

Dearest H—

Snow's last words today are ""Clark has been again & gives up a shade of hope. If she lives 48 hours she may recover""— She wrote Wed. evg & says ""In the early mg a wonderful & blessed change took place— The delirium left her & a deep peace took its place— Hope said she knew how hopeless it was, but that it was every thing to her to see the calm & peace, after the long restlessness (it had last at least 48 hours ceaseless talking & reading but no distressing fancy & appearing interested in what she was reading). She has lain in this state ever since. She knows us all, & in the early mg— She had a sort of welcome for us—now I don't think she cares to see any one but Hope—but the expression of peace is what I cannot describe— She says every thing is very comfortable

The last acct of At F. was good—pulse natural (for the first time) leg better. You see poor Mary Holland's death, after 4 or 5 years suffering & longing for it— Parslow is to manage all the hay for Horace— The Gardener's Chron. says there is not a scrap of fruit saved not even an apple—

The Pall Mall has shewn up that horrid Priest's book even more than Lord Redesdale— I think it is quite right to make it as public as possible in spite of the indecency— I conclude it is the same book w– –Sir J. Sulivan told us was circulated at B—mouth.

Babsy had his 1^st night w—out H^t & did not at all mind & so now I consider that job is done—

Romanes came & At Eliz. tho' she had gt difficulty in hearing him was interested in his spiritual talk—

He told a story about his sisters v. wonderful, but of course F. has an easy solution for that, as he did not witness it himself—

Goodbye my dear | I must write some letters | E .D

Eliz. was m. relieved to find that Lena had sent Mildred to see Mr Mass. tho' she did not go herself—

A later account from Ida. rather more hopeful both D^rs agreeing in the hopeful symptoms— The phlegm was the g^t danger & she has expectorated twice T. H. & Effie arrived after a good journey & passage It is to B. so I send it on Effie getting some sleep in the car—