From H. E. Darwin to G. H. Darwin [1866]

Dearest George

Many thanks for your capital long letter just received by me on my return from High Elms where I've been spending the night. Rather a funny little jaunt—Lady L. & I going up to the bank to dine & then going on with Sir John to the London Institution (now I daresay you are so ignorant you don't know that that is in Finsbury Circus) to hear Wallace lecture on the Malay Islands. It was rather amusing. I knew precious little about them & they have various strange customs—amongst others trying their new creases (a deadly weapon) on any one who may chance to come by, when the bystanders calmly examine the wound in order to see whether it is a good weapon by the cleanness and sharpness of the cut. This morning was devoted to breakfast. Oh! my gracious how they eat! you never saw such breffusts. henry's was 1 or 2 eggs 6 bits of bacon, two or three fishes & a help of kidney, & the rest in proportion. Henry was very low they had had ""the best run of the season"" & he was on lame Lady Blanche. Deary me. though I do take the troubel to repeat all this to you, methinks it wd wax wearisome for a constancy. I have been laying a long seige to my [Ma] & have gloriously conquered. You know how tiresome it is always having John overworked & untidy & so by hints, by gentle arguments thrown in when convenient, when in due season I've gained the day & we are going to have QQQQ labourer or something to help John. I can't say what a comfort twill be. I do think the feeling of always having to ask whether John is over worked is so horrid.

I'm very glad to hear you are thought so safe about the scholarship—It sounds a pretty good lot you've got to do. I only hope there may be no hitch in Millicents affairs—She was to have come here this winter but I've had no sign since the first announcement. I'm to be bridesmaid. the wedding in March & no sign of life seems to me awful. I hope the poor little soul ins't going to be jilted. Papa has not been quite so well these last few days & poor Mama has been rather bad with headaches. It is such a lovely day I feel it to be a sin & a shame to be in. you don't say much about the storm—Numbers of the trees are smashed in the High Elms lane.

Goodbye dear George | yours ever | H.E.D.

P.S. You must go into mourning poor boy but it is quite necessary— also Papa is very glad you are going into Debating Club. Cresy said it wd be very good thing for engineer to have a little practice in public speaking.