From Emma Darwin to Leonard Darwin [29 September 1876]

Dearest Lenny

I had not a doubt about sending on your letter. It is so true & so feeling that it must go straight to her heart, & if it causes him a burst of tears I believe it is a benefit, as I do not believe he can go on long without that relief.

Horace’s letter from Pantll. was a good account. They lead the most methodical life. Soon after breakfast he & Frank go down to [Votty] & each work at their own employment till about 12 when they go out. Dine between 1 & 2—go down again to work till 4 & then another walk till tea & reading out in the evening. We have at least got a wet nurse & the baby is thriving so fast that F. & I have settled to go to L.H.P on Wed next & on to Southampton while Hen. & R. stay here w. the baby—

I am in great hopes that M^rs Ruck will return here with Frank for a time. It will be a fresh opening of all his bitterest feelings & a great deal to be done & settled which she will do better than any one.

We have been rather overdone w. Germans this week. Häckel came on Tuesday. He was very nice & hearty & affectionate but he bellowed out his bad English in such a voice that he nearly deafened us—however that was nothing to yesterday when Professor Cohn (quite deaf) & his wife (very pleasing) & a Prof. Römer came to lunch— Any thing like the noise they made I never heard. Both visits were short & F. was glad to have seen them—-