From W. E. Darwin to Emma Darwin 30 October [1872]

My dear Mother

I owe you a lot of letters. I really have seemed to have no time to write, Hankinson having been away seedy & absent from Bank for 10 days, & Atherly away, also endless committee & Council meetings of the Hartley, then in the evening I have not vigor to start a letter. I am writing now just before going to dine with Hankinson, where I am to meet a very clerical lot, connected with some Church association or other, I wish them joy of me. You must have got home about today I guess, & I should think find this fiendish weather better to stand at home. I hope the outing rested F.

I am still on the worry about M^rs Sanford, & yesterday had to write a long letter to India & a longer to her. I saw her D^r in London as I passed through, and after all strongly persuaded her not to go to India, & I was very glad to get a letter yesterday from Capt S. hoping she had not started. I believe she will go to Isle of Wight or Torquay, but I shall have lots more worry. I hope Geo. is better & able to do a little work. I met today a tiresome little old cove, he met at Hamburg, who always asks after him, Called Richetes a son-in law of old Beadn “who will be 95 in December & has been out shooting this year, most wonderful man” this is a stock remark of old Richetts. I am much interested in reading Comte just now will you please lend me “Mill on Comte” it is only about a 3$\frac{1}{2}$ postage I guess. I hope during November to get up for a Monday Pop^r. I have promised Hen: to try if her spare room is any thing nearly furnished by then: Is Father to be put up for Aberdeen or is it all newspaper gammon?

last Sunday week I went to Bournemouth & had a pleasant stay & found them all very well & Uncle Charles very full of Scarboro’ jokes & scandal, which he could hardly tell without hysterics of laughter.

Any news about the Captain? As soon as they have taught him to make his own shoes, & cut his own hair he will know & do every thing in this blessed world.

Your affect | WED