From Emma Darwin to Leonard Darwin 17 July [1876]

My dear Leo.

We were very glad to get your letter from Malta—& much interested to hear about your work. I suppose it w^d nto be military to ride with an umbrella when you are going to the fort. William has made good progress since D^r D’s visit. I think feeling safe about the head has made him bolder & less observant of his feelings— He writes a few notes & does a little business every day, besides reading a little to himself. He & Bessy went to your old enemy the Calverley Hotel on Thursday— They had a very hot journey & yesterday & last night were very hot so that I am afraid it will not have answered—

He is to go to Scotland as soon as he can. Frank or Horace will travel with him & Bessy go also as companion which pleases her very much. She will have Pearce with her so that she will be independent  The Litches will also join them as soon as he is free & I am v. glad they are not going abroad this time. We are in great want of water, which the roses seem to like, as I never saw them so full of flower. W^m’s chief occupation besides his knitting, has been looking after the creepers & training them up the veranda. The clematis grows so fast that it will soon reach all along the front & make a trimming

B. & I went to lunch at Holwood the other day— Fr. came afterwards for lawn tennis. The insidious curate was there on the tamest of terms & I feel sure Miss D. will fall a prey— He is said to be an agreeable and clever man.

Horace is m. excited about his machine for [Girm]. & has printed what he has got to say about it; but is afraid he will be v. nervous. Anderson seems quite so sympathetic & even surly Moberly—

George continues unwell, but manages to do a little work— Adams has looked over his paper & discussed it. He approves & has found no mistake & says that if G. can do the astronom. part he will rpsent it at the R.S so G. is q. satisfied. The teazles are behaving q. as they should do.

Did you hear of D^r Hooker’s engagement—to Lady Jardine of course—just the right thing young enough for Harriet & old eno’ for him. Our Ff. has shewn the cloven foot again.

Mr Wills the schoolmaster came in g^t indignation to Fr saying he wd not stand it any longer, that Mr Ff. had called him all sorts of names, cheat, liar &c— He had written it down & some of the abuse had been overheard by a neighbour. He hoped to have a meeting called & bring it forward. I think he ought to be protected tho’ as he is a goose & hot tempered there may be some mitigating circes. We hear mowing machines going on all round. The stony field is not yet cut. We have got Galumpus safe & sound— W^m. tried if he wd recognize him but there was no sign. There seems a v. general feeling of indignation against the Turks— I don’t think the nation wd stand a war on that side, which is what Dizzy is suspected of wishing.

Yours my dear old man | E. D—

It is a blazing calm day & very hot yesterday 77—