From Emma Darwin to Horace Darwin [5 May 1868?]

My dear Horace

Here is Mady’s letter. You must write her an answer (only a line or two) to

No 26 Abbey Place

St John’s wood

London

N.W.

The 2 last days were so charming & hot they only played on the lawn— Harry finished by making your father his complete slave, going to see him put to bed &c   He looked so pretty sitting on Papa’s lap with his arms round his neck. Your f. remained virtuous about not corrupting him at luncheon till the last day when he took his full swing of wickedness & made Harry so tipsy with jokes that he did not know what to do with himself.

Poor Mark was taken with a fit on Sunday evg. which was very alarming & I was so glad Mr Huxley was here to apply to, having been a Dr. He is still poorly but going on well. Your letter to Hen. is just come. The pony came from Keston. He seems quiet & brisk & good paces £20—it is wonderful luck— The girls went suddenly off to Pyt House on Monday morning for a ball. The Langtons do not come next week which is a disappointment. Old Strick is at Pyt House. Here is a note from Lenny. I sent him yr first letter & Hen. will send your 2^nd.

decent not deasant.

broad not broard (this is hereditary from Papa all thro his Journal.)

Here is a drawing of Mady. She has great imagination

I have no time today but will write soon.

The azaleas are quite gorgeous this year. I never saw them so fine & the Rhods. It has been a charming Spring. The house at Swanage is too small. I think we shall have to send Parslow down to look at houses. I hope we shall get there rather than to Bournemouth. Papa has had the offer of a young stag hound from a breeder friend, but we thought it wd be a bother having 2 large dogs & also educating a monstrous dog. He might run sheep & beggars. Y^r spelling rather ran away with you the last time.

awfully not awcfully

handkerchief not hancerchief (which I am sure you know)

service not servace (servire).

whiskers not wiskers—

You will enjoy Cambridge— | yours my dear Horace | E.D