From H. E. Litchfield to G. H. Darwin 13 September 1882

Dear George.

Isn't it splendid ab^t. [Ponts]— I will do myself the justice to say I never doubted much as to his passing but I never hoped for first. As Horace says it makes one think better of examinations. He won't hear it till the Cape wh. is a pity.

I'm afraid your visit at Whittinghame will be rather a sad one. I wonder if you will see the old clergyman who wrote such a feeling sermon.

We have got a beautiful bit of autumn summer wh. is lucky with the houseful of visitors—tho the children make themselves happy anyhow— Dubsy's bliss keeps bursting out into song—& whenever he is one hears bits of the Marseilleise or Men of Harlech etc. Both Lucy & Johnny have been very good & played endlessly with him.

Mother is still in her room & I rather hope we shall keep her there one more day. It will be impossible to keep her talking too much to Uncle Harry if she is downstairs. We hope that they will all go off on Friday. The end of everything seems coming near. Marianne is coming up to talk abt care taking & Frank is going to see abt letting the land—& Bessy & I are going to mark surplus furniture—wh. will be a difficult task eno!

There has been a prosperous letter from Sara on the eve of her start— I don't believe the Brit. Ass. did her any harm— [Their] ship is the Samaria.

Laura's visit was very prosperous till Mother fell sick— R. is [rushing] ab^t. in the Lakes. Meeting ""the Society""— No Bobby Burn & others.

Your affec | H.E.L.