From Emma Darwin to Ida and Horace Darwin [4 January 1880]

My two dear ones.

I shall direct this to Mrs H. D. because it will be such an excitement. I am so glad you have such a lovely day—

You see Leo. w^d have come— I want to talk over the wedding a little & did you see Effie’s tender & warm embrace of Hen, as if she meant to make it a sort of sacrament of reconciliation. She was the same to me; but then we did not need it—

Also your father gave me a warm embrace which pleased me— I meant to look quite happy (as I felt) but the organ upset me & I could not get right again, & also Effie’s face affected me; but why did Snow look so dreadfully dismal   Then I fell in w. Effie at 31 & found her sitting talking cheerfully over it w. your mother; & I also had a sight of the gown & hat & admired, & Effie thought the fiasco about the carriage had been no misfortune. Also the boys & Berry were there   They were occupied in amusing B. with the prismatic colours from the chandelier w. were q. beautiful over the whole room w. the sun— I also sat $\frac{1}{2}$ an hour w. Ellen who had the fire in her back room, that she might see you all go. Then we met at lunch at Bry St. & had a bottle of champagne & talked over all & the best man’s rushings between 31—& 6 & consulted over the advert. (By the way what a charming looking man the Hon & Rev. is) now I know why you chose him because it w^d look so well.

Effie & I talked a little over the wedding gown about the imposs. of her m. taking care taking care of herself e.g. driving out w Berry & Maggie for 2 hours & how imposs she felt it to prevent it

I advise you Ida not to take pen in hand for a week. It will do H. no harm to write for you farewell—