From H. E. Litchfield to G. H. Darwin 2 July 1874

My dear George

I am so very glad to hear a better account of you & I hope now that you will have spirits to go on to your German towns. The only thing will be I expect you will be frizzled. We had our first really hot day yesterday. A hot wind like a sirocco, tho Even yesterday when we shouldered campstools & went into the Park to look at the sunset it was quite cool. We hadn't been out before since Pouter’s last night here. Poor old Pouts I can't quite realize that it will be 365 days before we see his face again. People are beginning to go off now & I feel that the worst of the London scrimmage is over. The F. Galtons are gone I think. Did they ever tell you how much they liked their time in Thuringia—perhaps you mean to go there, but it sounded rather what might suit you. Altogether amongst Germans, & quiet woody country very nice for walking & driving & very pretty. This year they go abroad late as they are going to try for Ital. Lakes. I sometimes wonder what one wd do for topics of conversation if one didn't discuss where one was going half the year & where one has been the other half. It does instead of the weather with most people. We went a most funny lark on Wednesday—to meet 2 of Miss Hills Courts about 150 folks, at the George MacDonalds at what they call ""A July Jumble."" It is a funny Jumble—one or 2 swells like Lady Ducie—one or 2 mediocres like us & this mass of people men women & children out of the slums. They do look such a miserable lot physically speaking. The only decent sized men or who looked as if they had any sound blood in their bodies were middle aged men who had that kind of look one feels morally sure they were born & bred in the country— They give 'em a splendid entertainment—-first dinner at which we were too late to assist—then all the 11 MacDonalds act a play & we swells hand about strawberries & cherries & tea between the acts. A play out of doors is a very pretty idea. They have a long old fashioned garden with brick walls at each side & a fine tree for a back ground to the little sort of booth they act in & we all sit ranged in front as audience. They have inherited the artistic temperament & are all picturesque looking & know how to make themselves effective & one is really a quite first rate actor. I have not seen any such woman's acting since K. Terry died to the stage, but of course one doesn't know how much is the surprise of finding the amateur stuff one is prepared to be good natured to, turning out to be the real thing— They are an instance of having done all that is most immoral & finding it all turn out for the best. She married him, a sickly man with the seeds of consumption in him without a penny to bless themselves with & they've worked on & had their 11 children & found it all answer, & now have educated most of them—launched one son—engaged one dau^r. & are going to start some of the others in keeping a school. They are those sort of people who have an old woman to live with them because she is dull & adopt an orphan, because it is unprotected. For the immorality of the sickliness I say nothing but for the imprudence as to many matters I rather admire & it is so nice to see simplicity combined with culture & refinement. I'm going down home for one night today as we are Sunday-walking tomorrow to Betchworth Clump near Sir B. Brodies place. The Sunday after we've had a delightful invitation from Eupha to take them to Abinger wh. is awfully good of her. We were having tea with her yesterday & it is always a fresh shock of surprise when I see her with her little sons—

I haven't seen Uncle Ras cos I've been so busy, but we are trying to go a drive together. He took me down to see Carlyle.

Goodbye dear G. Long may your betterness continue | your affec H.E.L.

F. Galton always asks after you very warmly

F. wants to compare the M.S. in parts & begs you will send it by post as well as the old & new proof sheets. yours E.D