From Ida Farrer to G. H. Darwin [December? 1879]

My dear George

I feel quite clear what I should like best about the lamp—which is a comfort as Horace has meanly put all the responsibility of settling upon me. I shd like the bronze one you have chosen, only mounted for a moderator instead of duplex. At first sight 5 hours does seem a good long time, but having elaborately calculated the number of hours from 4.30 till 10.30. I find it is six & it would certainly be more convenient to count upon the lamp living through the whole evening. So, as I shall be in those parts this afternoon, I will go to Miller’s & ask them to make that change.

I think now, that if we had had a duplex, we shd have been obliged to shade it, so that after all, moderator is better. Very many thanks for lighting us up. It does not sound as if you had succeeded in beating Vollmen’s taste.

Yrs affectly | Ida Farrer