From Emma Darwin to S. E. Wedgwood [13 June 1869]

My dear Eliz.

I will begin categorically. Soon after arriving at Q.A. I sent over Anne & a note & Georgina returned a verbal answer that she w^d like to see me. The Bridgmans & the poor little coffin had gone the day before. I found her very low but not much agitated, sitting in the drawing room w. Ellen at the top of the house ill in bed, & so rheumatic that I am sure she c^d not mount the stairs.

She talked v. calmly & said poor little G. had hardly suffered. She was mostly unconscious but when not so, perfectly herself. The 1^st D^r had mistaken the case & thought it a common infantile fever & left her without medicine too long, but the second D^r said that tho' he had attended all his life to brain disorders in children he had made no single step in the power of treating them. She was quite unable to take food from the first. Then I went up to Ellen, but she spoke but little but did not seem so knocked down as G. & said this attack (Diarrhea) had been a relief to her mentally. Poor Minnie was only too calm. They say there was not the least comparison in her love for G. & Willy  She was every thing to her.

They w^d have wished to see her cry more—

She told them they need dread nothing more she had to go thro' for the 3 days of suspense were so dreadful nothing c^d come up to that.

They said Mr B. suffered nearly as much but that a man had more power to throw things past remedy off the mind. They were v. much charmed with a letter of Snow's—

Afterwards I called on Miss Taylor & found her v. cordial—

Next day we took a compartment to ourselves, but I was pretty bad when we got to Shrewsbury & went to bed. Ch. quite brisk! & he & Hen. took a fly & went all over the poor old house. I was v. sorry not to go. It was m. less dismal finding the place & every tree so valued by the tenant a v. civil clergy & large family—but he w^d not go & let them wander alone. It all looked bright & lovely

Poor Old Mark was m. pleased to see Ch. & came to see us next m. at the station.

The bright afternoon most lovely here & we sat on the side of M^t & gloated over Cader & the estuary. I must send you a sketch of our view.

Ch. & Polly out for $\frac{3}{4}$ of an hour this mg. At present the walks do not promise any thing like Hengwrt but the place itself more lovely.

Today is cold & gloomy so we feel all the more grateful for yesterday.

yours E.D.

We think we shall have to send a courier from London for Bessy.