From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [17 March 1879]

Dearest H.

We are all horridly vexed at Fr having refused this Cam. examship. His first impression was so decided that he had not knowledge enough for it & F. also being of the same opinion that he tel at once to refuse it. Since then Hooker & Dyer have written so warmly to induce him to accept it that it has shaken F. (tho' not changed own opinion) that I have no doubt Fr w^d have changed his mind—meanwhile it is given away— The thing itself is not m. worth considering & the pay is so small that nobody is likely to wish to keep it long; so that if he keeps it in view for his studies I think he may very likely obtain it— They seem to have such v. poor candidates that it is all the more provoking— Horace is most vexed as he accepted it provisionally for Fr. Dyer partic regrets the Bot. phyziology w. he had taken great pains with & which Fr w^d continued.

The poor Thorleys! I still hope they may somehow be able to deceive themselves as to his intending to cheat them, at least that he intended to replace the money. I understand from you that when once it is in chancery they have no further power over the proceedings.

Fr started yesterday on his bicycle to go & see the Nashes; but got an overturn on Keston Common & cut his hand & so came back—

He was not otherwise at all hurt & went again in the P. M. I was called down the other day to a Mr Wythes who sent in his card—

I found a fat farmer looking man who said ""He thought he shd probably find Mr D. at home & he had come to look at his sheep—"" I said the sheep were Mrs Smith's Then we sat & talked of the weather & Fr came in to whom he told the same thing that he was come to look at Mr Darwin's sheep. I said I thought there was some mistake as he had no sheep— He answered ""very likely—I met Mr D. in the train"" & he had asked him to come & look at his sheep"". We thought it so awkward for the old gent. that we foolishly did not enquire further only telling him it was a mistake & bowing him civilly out; & so we shall never know whether it is the same wraith that appeared in his name in Jersey or Guernsey I forget which—

Horace seems to have been so well that it is provoking he has got a bad cold— I shall like to know how the drive went off w. Carlyle & whether Sara was killed with the draught. He w^d not say to her as he did to his wife ""Woman I will not be stifled"" & brought her along in the piercing wind—which she tho^t an excellent joke. We got our Forrests done v. successfully & Mr F—came—being on Sat— He is most zealous about the Penny Bank— The contributors keep increasing Last Sat. the great event was Louy Parslow flooding the bank w. her fortune of $\frac{6}{8}$

Well we shall see you & R. on Sat any how—

Give my best love to W^m & Sara—

It is m. the most probable that At Eliz. recovery will be very slow—

yours my dear | E . D—

We are much charmed with Howell's Aristook—

Michael Foster has written in the same sense & Fr has just written to accept

Hoorah—