From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [14 December 1878]

Dearest Hen

If you have seen Eras. you will have heard of the surprizing news of a Mr Rich leaving your father the reversion of his property, solely on the grounds of his scientific work— It is such a nice letter you shall see the copy & telling him that an only sister is the last of his family remaining— This takes away all scruple in accepting it, though it will only concern you & the brothers— F. was v. m pleased not so m. on acct of the money as the recognition of his work— The property is uninteresting—houses in Cornhill 1100 a year— M^r Rich is evidently quite a gent—& v. clear headed nearly 74—

Bessy only feels it was a pity he did not do something else w the money & I must own I only care for the feeling of gratification.

Amy W. is coming today to At Eliz. from Cornwall Gardens & then we shall see whether she can't endure the thoughts of France—At Eliz. is m. pleased at the thoughts of seeing her—

Bernard is quite well & is to go out today for $\frac{1}{4}$ of an hr—on his own legs & not the peram—It is perfectly calm—

Here is Leo. & I think it must be safe— Now I must go & pack up the Huxley's leavings tho' I must own I believe they are Rachels—

I think Ellen was prudent but I am v. sorry not to have her.

The trees are beautiful & B. has persistently seen 2 poor bas in the bushes opposite the windows & Marianne is taking him to see if she can make it out—

He had tea with Frank the other night ""Two marmalades & van uny"". Bessy & the Miss Teesdales walked to Cudham yesterday to look after a poor woman. She does not feel they shall ever get beyond the crust—

I feel a little indignant or rather unsympathetic at Uncle Harry being the person most to be pitied— In his case it is making a sad life more joyless—in Col. Carr's the loss of every thing that makes life worth having for a time

I wish Parslow wd come & shoot the black birds there are two who spend their whole time in preventing the other feeding & not feeding himself—

Therm 24^o. last night; but I keep q. warm in the house.

Yours my dear— | E. D—

The poor minority in the Lords was worse even than I expected & so I suppose will the Commons be.