From Ida Farrer to G. H. Darwin 10 October [1875–9]

Dear George,

I am sending you the two last vols of Kreuz u Schwert today by post. I would have you observe that I finished them in less than a fortnight! Perhaps this is why I thought them more interesting than the first two which took me 5 months. But the German Formlosigkeit is a trial, & I don’t believe one could read Samarow if it weren’t for the sake of having contemporary history made easy, at least I couldn’t. We had a very pleasant driving tour & perfect weather, all but the haze which rather spoilt the views. Our invalid is to be moved to town next week. We are so glad of the cheering reports of your hospitals.

Yrs very sincerely | Ida Farrer

The result of M^rs. Grote’s lecture to Jowett about his silence, was an unusual flow of talk when he was staying with her last week. Strange to say she listened & thought him very agreeable!