From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield 17 March 1881

Dearest H—

It is sad to hear of yr fog *P [symbol for yesterday] *Q— Today you may very likely have one. (I am surprized to hear of the first wife's fortune going to this family e.g. R W's.)

U. Harry is not uncomf—I think but deadly silent & yesterday he had dismantled his trumpet & lost the piece; so we had to shout all the time- –- He brought a tol account of At F.

I think it is of immense consequence that Eras. shd have moved into the drawing room—I had feared he might never have done so again—

F. & I think that Kowalewsky's acc^t of the Emperor was very likely coloured by the reactionary tendency he had fallen into— The Times article made one think well of him on the whole, which is much pleasanter in the case of a man who had done such a courageous & noble act as he did— I admired Gladstones speech about him— I read Lord Lansdowne's letter about Land to F. & we both thought it very sensible & moderate & that most of what he said was unanswerable—tho I have some hopes that a great land owner may see the difficulties & injustice in too strong a light.

Arthur comes for the Sat. & Sunday & Rowland for the Monday & Tuesday– – It will be fearfully interesting to hear about Laura and E.

Bessy goes to Cam. on Sat for a few days. It was provoking she c^d not go today—as Horace is away at Manchester & Leeds for 3 days w. Mr Dew- –-

yours my dear | E D—

Will you please send tickets for admittance for two to the Zoo—to Rowland 34QQQQ York St Portman Sq. before Sunday—

I was talking to Jane Reeves yesterday about their conversion— It was the converted gipsies that did it— I said something about it being so wonderful in the case of the old reprobate—& she said it was q. as wonderful with William & Willy (who had been very wild & unsatisfac.) She said her home was a changed place & she looked quite changed in the expression of her face—quite friendly w. the old man—they are all tee total & never touch beer— I said I did not doubt the reality of the change & hoped it wd last—& she said she thought it wd ""if we continue praying""

yours E. D—