From Emma Darwin to H. E. Darwin [23 October 1877]

Dearest Hen,

I have always heard that no one has any idea of the beauty of Switz. who does not see it in late autumn & I am glad u have some compensation  It is a Mr Richards that Miss Ashburner is to marry—Mr A. has a very nice tasteful manner & look, but looks unhappy & his wife is an uncomf. person—bright & pleasant but impulsive & ill-judging to the last degree & the daughter sober & sensible & 30 years old keeps everything smooth in the house—

Mrs A. spoils the youngest son & snubs the eldest who is q^t. unfortunately ugly. I have been talking seriously to F. & he has consented to go to Eras. on Friday next for 4 nights, & by the time we come home it will be time to look out & prepare for ou & R. for I can't believe that it will be necessary for him to settle first in London— Sara goes to her uncle's tomorrow, & B. goes up w her, as she is going to help B in buying a gown & bonnet— A dark silk as nothing is to be bridal.

I took Sara in to the new dining room to see Mrs Hughes & her manner was the perfection of natural kindness with no effort. On Friday W^m. joins her in London & on Sat. they go down together to Tilgate. Sara promises to come & see Eras. & I suppose W^m. will bring her on Sat mg— Some of the letters she has received in answer to her announcement have been quite charming—esp. one from Mr Simon the surgeon, & from Mr Lowell—Ambassador at Madrid which both are playful & affectionate.

I asked Mrs Nix to come here today, but she can't w. Sara is sorry for too—Theodora it seems is very fond of seeing the world & is fond of all sorts of gaiety, & I think she will be a gt help to Sara in making amusement out of the wedding calls & visits; & a few balls are always to be had at S–ton. Mr Simon says ""And lime shall be put to catch her innocent feet & never shall she see the wilds of Massachusetts again."" & I think it is likely enough to be the case.

Tuesday 5 o'clock

""F. got safe here at 4— She had a good deal more pain than on her former journey; but is not feeling the worse for it, & is now reposing—very thankful that it is behind her.—"" Effie says after enumerating all the bad symptoms `"But w. all this sadness she is as sweet & calm, & I mt almost say, bright as ever— She has been so glad about W<sup>m</sup> `"Emma will be so happy she said— & another time ""It was so pleasant to go to sleep thinking of it. I am & shall be so intensely thankful to have had these precious months of her""—

I begin to hope she may have another rally, but yesterday I felt astonished they shd venture to move her—

Leo. keeps just the same  his leg is unbound ev. night & rubbed w. lotion & he walks on it a little. He certainly shall not go to town again but have M^r Pick here. A very affecting letter of poor Ch. L— I think he must have connected W^m. m. w. Ed— He says ""If a voice c^d reach us from the grave how truly w^d other congratulations be added to mine""— They both went a tour w. him more than once I think—

I have no more letters to write I think— | yours my dear | E D