From Elizabeth Darwin to Horace Darwin [18 December 1873]

Dear Horace

I enclose a card of invitation from the Daniells—we had one too but we have refused as it is such an awkward place to get there—but you might easily get there on horseback  however I don't suppose you will care to go. Mrs T comes on the 8^th. of Jan— I hop that isnt the time you meant to come— she will stay a week and after that Rose and Mabel are to come. Miss Ludwig is also coming ditto Amy—so we shall have plenty of visitors. Lenny is going to stay a bit after Sunday.

Today I walked over to Ravensbourne and asked Alice to come to dinner to meet the Nashes—for we have actually done the deal and asked them to dinner next Saturday. The Reading room affair is not settled yet, but next Tuesday there will be a meeting and then I hope it will be  Mr Ffenden showed Snow a letter from the committee of education saying that if drinking gambling and smoaking went on they should not approve of the schoolroom being used for a reading room so it is evident that the Fiend must have written to the committee saying that these things did go on; Parslow says he can prove that drinking and gambling did not take place, but smoaking I am afraid may do for it if they really do object to that.

Well I must go to bed, I am sleepy | your's ever. | Bessy

Two or three days ago young Mr Daniell came over to enquire when you would be at home.