From Fanny Allen to Emma Darwin 10 November [1871]

My dear Emma,

You must be back now, in your own nest! I guess & I hope the ""Faulhorn,"" has done them all the good expected by you!— I had a most pleasant letter from Snow, [illeg] week giving me, so nice an account of the Workman's feast to M^r Litchfield that I am inclined to congratulate you on your new son, stamped as he by the love & gratitude of the Zoo Workmen  M^r. L's 17 years of teaching & aid to [them] [""Morkery]"", reminds me of my poor John's efforts in the like manner, though perhaps it may not have been so useful, as I dont think he had any thing to do with teaching, but it touches me, by the sympathy of two humane & kindly natures— I am very glad Henrietta was able to be present & that the excitement has done her no harm— Snow praised the selection of the picture given, but she did not tell me the subject— Eliz^th may mention it in one of her next letters— I was sorry to hear that Fanny was laid up with influenza, though Snow said her mother was recovering, & as a proof of it, ""Harry & George Allen were to dine with them on wednesday""—so I trust that all is well, or nearly so, there!— I am surprised that Snow could hear so much of the speeches given at the feast—perhaps she may have sat next some of the speakers. I don't believe I should have heard, had I been there—Happy those who hear!— Your boys, must have had a delightful scamper over the great Western land I should like to have heard their details their Boston visit made me provoked with Molly M—that she does not for herself, but still more for Eva, join the pleasant society of her own country & people! but there is no use of being vexed at one thing done by so unreasonable a creature as M. M—she does nothing reasonably— The [Miss] Asburner with whom your boys stayed (are the daughters, of M^r. A, the ""Youth beloved,"" of M^rs. [Opiet] pretty lines of ""Forget me not"". How people or their children turn up after many years!— I saw M^r. A the father in London, no longer the ""Youth"" he was about to pass from Bombay to the Western world, then— I have just read M^rs. Harts pretty, & clever little book ""M^rs. Turninghams Journal""—what a facility she has in rhyming! Miss Smedley sent it to me, & she told me when here that she had gained a good sum of money from it she mentioned how much but I forget—but she has built some cottages from the proceeds—so it must have been in the £100's—light, amusing, books turn more money than thoughtful ones! I should like Snow's purse to be filled in the like manner— We are now returned to the Titchburn trial again— Harriet read me out last night a most tedious day's work of it. I hope M^r Billy Boville will turn out a more just Judge than he proved himself 3 months ago— I hope you read in the ""Daily News"" this week, the story of the loss of the Megara, by 2 [illeg] or stokers, I have not read anything so interesting for a long time— Our naval men are heroes—& they are well trained to it— Capⁿ Hupp deserves a Coronet ten times more than Lord [Dufferin]! our Government make foolish peers— 2 ladies have called & stopped me, a luck for you, as God bless you & keep you from all bores! My love to yours [illeg] & the Tower.

Ever your's dearest Emma | F Allen