From H. E. Darwin to Emma Darwin [22 June 1865]

Dearest Mamy—

I am so glad to hear of another good day—I hope he is really a little better. Why does Aunt Eliz go to L.H.P. against the grain? I wont do anything about Tickets because I think we shall use them too. I asked Em. who M^r. Thorley is— She writes a ""Zautiol"" as plain as possible—but I not know what trade that is. Have written to Lizzie & now I thk your letter is answered. I am so glad Papa is better.

Well, yesterday was a perfect specimen—a few g^t. fat white clouds & brilliant sun with the most heavenly lights—so Tina & I set off at about quarter to 11 with wine & biscuits for a long outing. We crossed the river & went up a little stony lane which led into a green wood path quite soft with moss & aromatic with firs, & gradually mounting—following the course of the river & so we went on this path till we got very high where everything was perfectly quiet—no whish of the river—no birds—no anything & we felt quite romantic. to feel so still in broad mid day sunshine is different from common. It was awfuly hot—almost too hot to sit. then we came to the fork in the valley where the river splits & we looked up one richly wooded one with a little quiet mountain settlement—old stone cottage & half broken down walls etc. & looked out on the prettiest view we have seen yet—Mountains all round & going away into quite blue distance with Snowdon amongst them & the near ones with the most brilliant purple cloud shadows. Here I sat in the shade of a stone wall & rested in gt comfort while Tina drew a little sketch & then we set off home right over the crest of the hill & down into a gt valley that runs up into the hills opposite our house— All down grassy paths half through fields, half on the hill side, crossing innumerable little brooks with fringes of wood— But it proved a good bit longer than we thought & I was rather killed— we were out from a little before 11 to nearly $\frac{1}{2}$ past 3 so though we sat down often in the first part of our walk we must have been 7 or 8 miles which is a good deal up & down hills in a blazing June sun. However it was so delightful it was worth while being killed & today I am going to take it easy & go a drive in the afternoon & only a dawdle in the morning in these woods. It is so fine & settled looking I th⁠⟨⁠⁠⟨⁠ink⁠⟩⁠⁠⟩⁠ we are going to have a spell though M^r Jones says a long spell means two days. With sun the walks are really perfect—there is so much variety— gt bare precipices to wooded valleys & the most brilliant green fields. We have been lucky about bulls— I have heard them once or twice but never seen them. In the very little farms about here I am sure they only have $\frac{1}{2}$ a dozen cows.

Now goodbye I must write to Jos [house]. You have been very good in writing to me. I am afraid my letters all bear the marks of the hurry they are mostly written in—or, for the alternative, the stupidity of sleep.

Yours ever dear Mamy | H.E.D.

It was a mercy Alfred going so very soon.