From Elizabeth Darwin to G. H. Darwin 3 February 1880

My dear George

We were all very glad to hear that you have got safely to Davos & that the journey did you no harm. I cannot help feeling rather sorry to hear that M MLennan is rather better, for I suppose there can be no hope of a real recovery & Mrs M.Lennan will end by being worn out. I hope the peace will do you some good. At last the frost is gone & the roads are in their dirtiest state. The Londoners must be very glad to get rid of their everlasting fogs, they have been tremendous lately a few days ago Clark Hawkshaw was obliged to get out of his cab & he & the man each took one of the lamps & lighted the horse between them. We had a jolly letter from Horace yesterday they were very busy unpacking & arranging, he said that Ida would give him no peace till he had finished something for Father, she said she was afraid she should lose her place if she did not make him finish it, so she locked him up for the proper hours every day till it was done. Horace also says that when they meet friends Ida wonders whether he or they are the most frightened, he thinks they are & she thinks he is.

We also had a very pleasant letter from Mr Nash giving an account of his life, he seems to enjoy it very much he says all the people are friendly & that they are very careful not to be exclusive & that Mrs Nash goes to call on her grocers etc. He does not say how it is answering in a comercial & paying point of view which one would like to know.

I suppose Mother has told you what an excitement the Atheneum letter by Butler made. Father has now written to Mr Huxley to ask his opinion whether it should be answered & tomorrow I hope Father may get his answer which will be deeply interesting. What I should like would be if Huxley was to say he would mash up Butler, but I suppose that is not very likely, at least Father says it is not though I cannot help rather expecting it

I enclose a copy of Father’s letter about the fur coat, isnt it a nice letter? He wore several day when it was so cold but I hope there won’t be many more opportunities for it this year. It feels quite like spring & give one some hopes the birds are beginning to sing.

Uncle Harry & Louisa are still at Aunt Elizabeth’s but go soon, the children went back first. Bernard had great fun with them but does not seem to miss them now.

Your affectionate sister, | E Darwin