From Elizabeth Darwin to Horace Darwin 29 April [1873]

My dear Horace

I am very glad that you are keeping well and hope it will last it must be very nice to feel well for a bit.

George was up in London on Saturday for the Soiree at the Royal Society which he seems to have liked he saw quantites of people that he knew he also did a good deal of business settled about giving up his chambers and selling his law books also gave notice to Mrs Salmon. So I suppose Frank will have to go into cheaper lodgings— we had such a jolly letter from him yesterday full of spirits—he says that Amy and he are awfully cold as the others will persist in thinking it warm and in having all the windows and doors open.

The subscription monted to 2,250. Whitworth gave 1,50 and Sir Charles gave another 50.

Mr Huxley received it most nicely and wrote a very delightfully letter in answer. We have all been making copies of it to send about to the subscribers. You shall have one sent to you when they come back.

We have heard of poor Lady Lyell's death which is very sad for Sir Charles it was gastric fever and pretty quick.

Poor Sir Charles sent the other 50 on the day of her death he had felt that he could not leave her as well provided for as he wished and so hadnt given more money but when she was dead that reason was gone and so he sent the extra 50. Mrs Lyell is going to live with him and take care of him and he will still have Miss Buckley.

We had a farewell call from Jane Norton on Saturday. she sails on the 10^th. I hope we shall see her again sometime— she is such a very nice person.

We have seen the new people at Mr Turnbull's, the Nashes. He seems quite a gentleman, and she a jolly sort of woman—not vulgar, but not quite so much of a lady as he is a gentleman.

Your's dear Horace. | Bessy.

George found the book you wanted and has sent it by somebody to Cambridge. Here is a copy of the letter mind you send it back. Father is very anxious that none should be left about.