From Leonard Darwin to Emma Darwin 28 February [1876]

Dear mother

George is a good deal better, about up to what he has been all along; which is not very high. He talks of going away on Tuesday week and I think I shall try to go with him for a week or a fortnight, but whether they will give me leave or not is rather doubtful. We have just commenced the three days carnival before lent—the great Maltese holiday of the year. People parade the streets in fancy dresses of all sorts and kinds, and throw sugar-plums at one another. We have to go about in uniform all day long which is considered a great hardship by the tipical officer; it is rather nonsense as there is no ill feeling to speak of between the Maltese and English, and I suppose the idea of being in uniform is to prevent rows between the soldiers and the people. The people in fancy dress have a way of taking off anybody's hat they meet in the street and rubbing their hands all over his head, and slapping him on the back. I don't know whether they confine these attentions to their personal friends, but at all events uniform has the advantage of preserving one from being mistaken for a Maltese and having this warm reception. They are so wonderfully different to an English crowd, and in many ways better; there is much less drunkenness, and with all this practical joking nobody seems to lose their temper. You seem to be having unheard of festivities at home, I only wish I was at home to enjoy it; little dances of that sort are so much nicer than any thing else. Last night there was a great fancy dress ball at the Palace; it was a very amusing sight, but there was such a squash that dancing was nearly impossible, so I went off after about an hour. Some of the dresses were ridiculously expensive; Last fancy dress ball some one went as an arm chair and got himself up so well that some one sat down on him, thinking him real. It was done with plenty of chinz and boards, but was so hot that the man could not stand it for more than half an hour. I am very much afraid that I shall not get my leave to go with Gorge. I got a letter from the Admiralty this morning requesting me to refund £20, which I had been paid too much, and also telling me that certain leave which ought to have counted last year will count this— I dont suppose I can make my meaning clear, but in short they have swindled me out of my money & my leave, and it is no use fighting the question I think. It does not much matter as it wont make the least difference about my summer leave. Will you give the reading room £1 for me, and I will give it to George for you

Your affec son | Leonard Darwin