From Elizabeth Darwin to G. H. Darwin 26 Feb [1876]

Dear George

I will write to you to day though it is too soon for the post. Thank you very much for thinking of getting me some lace, a present from abroad is always very pleasant. Yesterday I went home from London where I had been up to a ball at the Huxleys which was very good fun, I danced a great deal & so did Frank. Mr & Mrs Huxley danced one walze together & seemed to dance very well. I should think they both must have been very glad when it was over. Next Monday we are going to have a ball consisting of seven couples. We all wish Pouter was at home, for it it would mak it so much better fun. I am afraid neither of our boys will be very well for it, Horace has got a cold & William a bad arm.

Henrietta had a better day yesterday, & was able to walk up the kitchen garden, but Alice Carter called in the afternoon & that did her up which shows she cannot be very strong yet. Aunt Caroline goes on pretty well. Lucy has got a little boy, I havent heard what his name is to be, not Mathew or James I hope. I am glad it is a boy. I cannot fancy Lucy the mother of a girl. Last night Father had to go down to the village at 7 o’clock to meet the club. They were talking of disinrolling the club the young men wished it, they were foolish enough to think that if the money was divided as they wished they would get as much money as the old men, when Father explained to them that this was not the case it made a material difference in their views, he made quite a long speech a full half hour, he did not feel nervous in his head but very oddly it made his legs tremble so much that he was obliged to sit down. Frank says he spoke very well. After he was gone & there was a very heated discussion. Lewis the man at the old Jail who is sec. to the club & was very anxious for the dissolution got very angry & told those who voted against it that they were a set of muffs & turncoats as they had promised to vote as he wished. However there is no danger of it being carried now as it required 5/6 votes which was a very good thing. The majority were for it being dissolved. I am going next week to stay with Louisa. I expect my last visit at Lidwells, as they are decided on going now, he has resigned which I am glad the doctor advising them to go to a gay place so they will probably go to Ramsgate or some such place where he can see a good many people. Then after that I am going to Barlaston for 10 days. Old Amy is staying with Aunt Elizabeth now but we have seen very little of her as yet, Mrs Ruck too is at Amy’s so Down is quite populous.

News is very scarce so I must stop.

Your affec | Bessy