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DOWN,

BECKENHAM, KENT

RAILWAY STATION

ORPINGTON. S.E.R.

Springfield

Friday (April 5? 83)

My dear George

You will have met with Leo's letter at Basset. I hope you have this lovely weather. We went yesterday to the Grove & I was m. charmed w. the place. I never saw such a display of primroses any where, especially under each of the beech trees they were like a carpet — I felt very sorry to have to keep out

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the rabblement from gathering them; but I was glad to find from Bourne that they creep in early & late & he takes no notice. I think it is the nicest suburban place I ever saw, & we shall expect you to come & stay with us for change of air. By the way tell Wm that Sophy will be here on the 14th but I hope he won't mind unless he can come on the 21st

Bernard is going out for his 3rd ride today, & now he goes without a leading rein, & picks up young ladies to be of the

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party — Bessy called to see Mrs Jackson yesterday & heard a sad account of the poor little twin — They have the greatest difficulty in persuading her to take any food & her life depends on that — Mrs Jackson sits up every other night — She is so open I believe it is a relief to her to talk over her troubles. Frank was at Down to collect books & found poor Sydney Sales looking ghastly — I hope he will not last much longer —

The Litches are coming tomorrow

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Mrs Lushington is settling all Hen's paper & paint — I wish we could hire her to do the same for us — We have not succeeded in a drawing room paper — Leonard must have had a harassing time at Singapore; but I agree w. Bee (who must have been a gt help to him) that he always takes too low a view of his own doings —

My best love to Wm & Sara — yours my dear George E. D ─

I think Carlyle's later letters to Emerson the saddest things I ever read —