From Fanny Allen to Emma Darwin 20 December [1870]

My dear Emma

My thoughts have been constantly with you these last 2 days since I heard of the Shipwreck, & I feel so grateful & joyous now—that I am writing to congratulate you on George's escape & also, in a miner degree, on Lennys success!—which, however, comes naturally to your boys, when they enter the lists, but still it is worth the notice & hope I may see your ""darling's"" name high up on the list in its proper time— I should think from the notice of the Shipwreck, of Psyche in last night's ""Daily News,"" that there will be no loss of any thing, to the learned passengers—& I hope that George's portmanteau may not even be [wet!] has he found his keys?— When you get his details tell Eliz^th to forward them to me, & do not give yourself the additional trouble of writing then to me, unless Henrietta, or Bessy would undertake the kind office for you. The former has probably her hands full—& now when I am thinking of the sea, I should like to know, if Professor Huxley belonged to it?— He says in his lecture on a piece of chalk of meeting someone who was ""a shipmate"" does this mean that M^r Huxley belonged to the ship, or was an accidental passenger?— I had a letter from Eliz^th. this morning which speaks of her enjoyment as Edmund's guest. I am very glad she likes Lena too so much. I think from what both she, & others, mention of her that there must be something nice & attractive in her character— I have had ""My [Harsy]"" for a visit of last Saturday, & Sunday, he returned to Lawrenny yesterday, & this week he officiates as master, of the party Isabella is giving to some of the country people— Harry & Jessie declined to join, but Rowley & Carry go— Harry mentioned, in a note I had from him, that he ""enjoyed his visit among his relations""—which I was sure he would, & was therefore glad of his blunder—it was a mistake for him, as probably for his whole family—that he ever pitched his tent in this County. I believe it was an act of selfdevotion on his part—& I believe it w^d. have been better for his girls in spite of the Majors, they have gathered from the Barracks it is now perhaps too late for a fresh move—but as a rule in choosing a home it is wisest to cluster round one's family, rather than, strangers— How much wiser w^d. it have been if Charles Langton, (having no family affection himself) had attended to that of his wife & settled at, or near Down!— How true it is, we only learn to live when the time is [push]!— Will George be back for the Hatfield ball?— Lady Salisbury is recollecting her cousenhood very graciously—she sent a pretty gracious note to Harry to ask him down to Hatfield for a few days after Christmas—the note followed him to the Assizes at Cardiff—

Now as she has advanced so far, & kindly with the male [part] of the cousinhood, I should like her to take in the weaker set—

I hope the wise man of the West may have a clear sky in Sicily the day after tomorrow—& still more that George may have good days to see, that historic land—as his stay will be short— So now good bye dearest Emma with my warmest congratulations, & love to each of you— I shall be thinking much of you & of all my other dear ones—on Christmas day—when I mean to pass it alone here—

Affec^lQQQQ^. Your's ever Fanny Allen