From Emma Darwin to Leonard Darwin [28 January 1873?]

My dear Leo—

You deserve encouraging in your newly acquired habit of writing letters, & I hope you may have to keep guard on more young women—

I am so glad about the fine weather for the Cambridge folks— They began very prosperously B. & Horace walking to the races after lunching w young Forrester; of whom B. does not m. approve.

Geo. came home on Friday v. poorly, but having been encouraged by his Dr. He has been [tol]— since— Dougall was down yesterday & the tiles are come & we shall be finished by Wed— The tiles are breaking out in a curious eruption of salt. You brush it off & it comes again. I hope the complaint is not permanent.

Amy was visiting the little Atkins at bed time & Dickie said most solemn prayers for the Queen & Parliament— & afterwards said to Amy quite jauntily ""Well Aunt Amy, how do you like my prayers?

Every thing is looking quite lovely—

Yours my dear old man | E. D—

Frank is jolly & well in spite of his exam. He says that Ithel got on but badly in most things, especially viv voce being so nervous