From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [c. 25 January 1881]

Dearest H—

I think I never enjoyed any thing so m. in politics as when the Speaker at last put his foot down on Wed. mg—& all the more because it disappted horrid Mr Biggar & his papers & blue books— I was out of all patience with the Speaker & the Ex. but Mrs Mulholland who called here yesterday said that the reticence was pre—concerted in order to give them plenty of rope to hang themselves—

She said Sir John says he has had an unusual quantity of sleep, as most of the members disliked much more getting up early than sitting up late & so he took that part of the duty on condition of being let off early at night— It was all systematically arranged. The acct of the whole scene is so m. more entertaining in the Standard that I will send it to you. I have hardly a hope that you got in last night. Gladstone is coming to High Elms tomorrow. I wish he w^d call, but I suppose we may not talk politics, he must want a rest from that subject—

I am going down presently in the Bath chair to see Brooks who has been in bed for a week without letting us know— You know what my feelings must be about the poor old man—but I am afraid he will recover—

That foolish James went up on Wed—when Tuesday was the day— I suppose he will go again Tuesday— F. wants some dentistry for a wonder so we shall certainly stay a few days in London— I hope a week between no 6 & you—

Are you not suprized at D^r Duncan not advising going to bed— It was r a relief to my mind as I was afraid my feebleness at Abinger mt have done some harm, I find I need not go after Brooks— He is well looked after by Jane Reeves & young William & they have had the Dr— Hurra for Mr Fegan—

Mrs Ev. attended a prayer meeting in w. Old Reeves made ""as nice a prayer as ever you heard in yr life"" also Mr Nicholls—

John Lewis is also a constant attendant. It is only the men who meet & not Mr Fegan—

Butler's rejoinder is not so fierce as I expected & only a repetition of what he said before—& about the dates equally tiresome 

Here is poor old G—whose passage seems to have been v. rough—or at least lessened the chances of no harm happening 

I have been trying for 3 days to call on Mrs Ff—& I shall not manage it today—

Yours my dear | E. D—