From Emma Darwin to Ida Darwin [6 September 1881]

My dear Ida

I feel v. impatient to know how York & the pendulum went off— George was so unwell w. sore throat &c on Sunday, that I was afraid he c^d never cook himself up enough to go, but he went off in tolerable case on Monday morning.

I shall be m. disappted if a little scheme of Bessy’s (& mine) does not come off— She heard from Mary Hancock, who is staying w. her brother at a water-cure at Pitlochry a beautiful place—& it occurred to B. & me what a much pleasanter way it wd be to pay her a visit there than to go to Ireland—so she has written to propose it—

F. has got som eczema so it is doubtful about Worthing on Thursday—w. will be tiresome now it is settled. F. is going to tell Mr Rich what a much richer man he is now—& he wd not be surprized (nor I sorry) if he altered his will— I have very sad letters from At Caroline— At Fanny & Effie came to see her— At F & she talked about Eras. a great deal—to my surprize in 2 such reserved people. The bequest to U. Hensleigh was an utter surprize to him—he expected a legacy of £1000 or so to At Fanny—

Poor Hope is still very miserable   Have you driven out in your new pony carriage I wonder— Some how I have no more to say, so Goodbye my dear dautie

yours E.D.

I went to church yesterday & Hen also—w. was more surprizing. I opened on the subject of keeping poor No 6 as a family Hotel but F. c^d not bear the thoughts of it—so I hope you & H. don’t want it.