From Emma Darwin to Fanny Allen [19 September 1873]

My dearest Aunt Fanny

What a time it is since I have written to you, but I have seen y^r letters to Eliz. so I know all about you, & how comfortable you were with the girls—now I hope you are expecting ""your Harry"".

Charles has recovered wonderfully from his distressing attack of last week & is moderately at work. I think with invalids unusual health ""goes before"" a fall. I hardly ever saw him so well as the Sunday & Monday before his attack. I am glad we have made a connection with a Dr by having D^r A. Clarke, & his opinion was very encouraging that he could do Ch. some good & that there was a great deal of work in him yet. We have not yet heard from him as to what he recommends as to diet. Certainly he has done great good to George. Every one is struck w. the improvement in his face as to filling out & colour. I never saw such an energetic man as he is—he works & reads & walks all day whether well or ill.

Our visit at Abinger is a pleasant bright thing to look at. The weather enchanting shewing off the place—Ch. well, enjoying every thing & above all Effie so light-hearted as well as wise. T. H. F. is so entirely friendly & liking sympathy & womanish, that one likes him most heartily. Effie has altered a few things about the little boys—1^st that they go to play and amuse themselves without a maid to look after them— 2^nd no beer or wine at dinner— They are peculiarly taking little fellows—

The Litchfields have been all this time at the Chalet de Villars near Aigle—high up, very rainy & cold & Hen. not strong or able to walk much—

Luckily they have been well amused with visitors Mr & Mrs Stansfield (Board of trade) & her brother, a pleasant Mr Ashworth; Josephine Butler & now the Mundellas—all in the high Radical ""woman"" line— Henrietta thinks the woman question is a Shibboleth and that rather keeps her in the outer circle, only that she is thought to be young & possibly convertible. Mr Stansfield is very loyal & says the Queen has much charm. They meet at meals & the Litches pay them calls in the evg. & she says they feel very intimate.

Are not you ashamed of Arch. Manning giving ""plenary indulgence"" to all these fools? I am happy to say he also gives plenary indulgence to the fools who stay at home. I am glad Eliz. is going to visit ""Lady Hawkshaw"". I am rather surprized Sir John accepted a. Knighthood. Eliz. will be very comf. there w. Amy & Godfrey & Cecil—

Goodbye my dear

I shd like to squabble w you over C. Buxton but it is tedious by letter.

E D