From Horace Darwin to Emma Darwin [16 August 1878]

Dear Mother

I got over here on Tuesday after a very good passage. I actually did not lie down all the way, but walked about most of the time; I travelled over with Mr. Bramwell, & Mrs Mr. Huxley, & Mrs & Maidey, she looks very thin, also Sir. J & Lady Hawshaw. When I got here I found that Mr. & Mrs. Easton & Mr Bramwell & two Miss Bramwells & myself were to make a family party. The two Miss Bs were to take the places of Miss Müller & Mrs Easterns sister, & they do’nt make a good substitute. There are heaps of people I know here, which makes it very pleasant, but I am a little too much tied to the Eastons as of course I want to get about rather more than they do, my friends here call me their tame cat. Clarke Hawkshaw is here & he is much rejoyed about Maks affair being over. Dew Smith is here, & I am writing on his paper see the gold edges. We went to here Spottiswoode address & could not hear one word chiefly on account of his voice & partly on account of the room. I was taking care of the two Miss Bramwells, & after suffering agonies from the heat we came out. I suppose you are at Barlaston now. I’m just off to see some mathematical instrument works with Dew.

Your affec son | Horace Darwin