From H. E. Litchfield to G. H. Darwin [6 August 1874]

My dear George.

I am so sorry to hear of your illness— One thinks discomfort as bad as any thg can be—but pain very soon convinces one of one's mistake. I am afraid we shant meet again for I shall be at Down on Monday We go there on Sat for my last 10 days in England. & so I'm v. busy winding up & all the busier because of a catastrophe in the household which has necessitated getting rid of my cook.

I hear D^r Humphrey recommends varied diet—I have for some time wished that you would try this—but it is v. difficult to know what to do.

This Quarterly affair has been a great worry, but as regards your reputation I lay great stress upon so few people reading the Quarterly at all. & of those few [most] only skim & wdn't happen upon the sentence.

It is a great comfort that you have not by any carelessness of expression given the slightest ground for such an imputation. I have made R. go & get Cotemp to see this—

Goodye dear Geo. | your affec | H.E. Litchfield