From G. H. Darwin to H. E. Darwin [30 March 1866]

Dear Henrietta,

I went home on last Saturday after the boat-race. We had to be up at five; I went with two other men & slept at a hotel. The race was rowed before Eight & it was a very good one but unfortunately we lost. Our boat led for three miles and a half & was beaten by about three boats lengths at the finish. I saw the boys at the race, they came in a bus & had a breakfast of bottled beer & sausages as they came along. I called in at Clapham as I went home & did the Wriggle's. D^r. Hooker came in the Evening; we were an odd little party. He went away on Monday Morning. I went out hunting on Monday, the meet was just beyond Green Street Green. The little poney was as fresh as paint, in fact I cdn't hold him a bit & his manner of jumping was so bumptious that I cdn't stick quite so tight as cd be wished. We had a very dull day. I saw Henry Lubbock's affianced & she looked very stylish on horse back. I had a long talk to Edgar L. Papa was pretty well for D^r Hooker & talked like a [good], in the Vulgar tongue. I went a Solitary [illeg] on Tuesday on Polly, who has grown a Sore wither & can't be used in harness. On Wednesday M^rs & Miss Chadwick came, I just helped to do a little but had to come off here at 2.30. Mama unfortunately was a little headachy.

Miss C. was a girl who never read a novel so to speak, at least she had read some Waverly's but didn't care for them. She w^d be pretty if she hadn't such a big forehead. We did croquet, & I left Lizzy & her hard at work.—

I found y^r. letter here & have forwarded it. I assure you I read every word of it & I also heard, your home letters, you need not be so nervous about my snears. There is an [ojus] man playing the piano somewhere in the court & I can't work properly. Thank Goodness it is nearly all over now. The exam begins on next Wednesday, the list comes out on the following Friday week.— We have most delightful warm weather here now, so you needn't crow over us so tremendjusly.

Your affectionate brother | G H Darwin That naughty Dog Bob ran away & he hadn't come back when I left. I hope he'll turn up. Parslow is bad again.—