From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [23 June 1878]

Dearest H—

The gown is come & looks fashionable but rather odd I am afraid, the black underneath shews well under the gauzy stripes, 8 guineas w. I suppose is not very dear as she furnished the silk for the dress w. will be very useful & I am glad it is black & not a bright colour— Horace came from Brighton *P [symbol for yesterday] *Q with Mr Westinghouse whom he likes v. m— F. is boiling over w. indignation previsionally because he is convinced that Douglas Galton will not give Ho. due credit for his work— Ho. says the usual opinion is that D. Galton is very clever & very unamiable. He thinks him not powerful & very amiable as yet—

George went to give Susy S. a long lesson on the printing machine for the benefit of Mrs S.; but I am afraid there is too much for so old a person to learn— Mrs Ruck says that Mary D'Arcy likes Marian partic. & that is much in M's favour as Mary D'Arcy is sober & plain & undashing—

Horace met Jessie in the Street but w^d not allow her to be any prettier than she was before. He told us of Snow's last—w. is more foolish than any thing I ever yet heard; but not so disagreeable. (about Hope's luncheon I mean)— I trust Hope takes it as of no consequence & does not argue—

Every mg begins pretty only so cold & ends in cold rain B. is come down glorious in Mrs Green's frock w. is q. a success. He had to go without his pinafore to the kitchen that the maids might see it.

Yesterday there was a pool on the gravel walk &