From G. W. Balfour to Horace Darwin [30 June 1873]

My dear Horace

I was so sorry not to be able to stay Sunday with you—if your invitation had come a few days before all w^d have been well. As it was, I was engaged on & to dinner, as I suppose you have heard from George.

When I got to Whittingham, & found the 40 in bicycle already arrived, so that we were able to commence practicing at once, but unfortunately the fourth day of my stay there, when I had already got to go fairly well on a level ground, I gave my ankle an ugly wrench, which laid me up for the rest of the time. This accident, coupled with the fact that I had [ay] tried the 40in. has prevented my getting a bicycle to practice with here—so that at present I am rather at a 'dead-lock' as regards our proposed trip. What do you advise me to do?

Eton is a very delightful place, but there are too many distractions at this time of year at least, to make it an ideal spot for 'Cramming'. The heat too is something frightful, and makes me prodigiously slack. However things are pleasant enough withal, and w^d. be more so if the old Butchers health was only a little better. I don't quite understand what is the matter with him—his work is light enough, and I hardly think the place can be disagreeing. I suppose the real fact is, that he hadn't yet recovered the last accident to his shoulder, and what he wants is exercise. I don't quite see how that is to be [illeg] however, as Hutton has insisted on his resigning this year to the work of recovery

Write and tell me how you are yourself, and how George is

Y^rs. affectionately | GWBalfour