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[1879]

Down

Saturday.

 

My dear Frank

It is such a time since I have really written to you but F has been writing axles to you most days & says he always condescended to add a little news of B [Bernard Darwin].

We have had our heads very full of family affairs.

10 days ago Horace came home from spending 2 days w. Laura, in a gt state of happiness at having been

[In Francis Darwin's handwriting?] –

This is a pleasant letter of Hen. but her adventure up the hill might have been a blessing [illeg]

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accepted by Ida. F. attempted to sober him down being convinced that T. H. F. – wd not like it. We went to London on the Thursday [26 June] & found a v. kind but derisive veto in a note from him, & saying that all intercourse must cease – This was a terrible blow to H – as Ida also had no idea of any serious objections (which were to his health & want of a profession) -

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However after friendly & affectionate talks w. T .H. & Effie (who has been most charming in the matter) it rests so for the present; but Effie is perfectly convinced that Ida will not change - & that sooner or later it can only end in one way – I feel rather uneasy about Horace's health being worsened by the strain; but the best thing for him is that he shd be as hopeful as possible. He has no doubts about her – He will soon settle at Cam. & his 2

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beloveds & George will be the most wholesome society for him, filling his head with axles-

Ida has been charming & open & affectionate to all of us & declares she means to eat & sleep & be quite happy.

We have had 4 rainy not all day days but the boys are excellent about amusing themselves, B. is very fond of Walter & r. [rather] snubs Robt. It shews how soon a want of tact & sense tells upon a child. Robt takes it w. perfect good temper.

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Marching & drumming still continue the rage & B. made himself quite red in the face today with tremendous long steps & blowing the trumpet all the time. We have settled to go to the Hotel at Coniston for a month & we start on Aug 1. have you at all made up yr plans & shall you not join us there? I hope so, or shall you take B. to Pant [Pantlludw, near Machynlleth, Wales]–

Monday – I kept this letter back for a day as Horace said he wanted to write

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to you himself; but he is going to London & has had difficult letters to write to Effie – (hers to him was most kind & sympathetic) & his pen does not flow – yesterday came a note from T.H.F. asking him to come & dine with him somewhere e.g. Hampton Court – H. is rather alarmed but thinks it bodes good rather than not. – I think it must be by way of getting to know him better –

Hen is really better & will come w. us to the Lakes – Leo went last week & ferreted all about & found nothing suitable but the Hotel, which will rather shock F. by the expense of it. We go up in a saloon carriage & he is quite resigned. We have got Elinor & Albert D since Sat. He is very pleasant & joyous; but she looks v. unwell. I am afraid her health has taken a serious turn downwards –

We have got the proof sheets of Dr. D. & they say it reads pleasantly & entertaining-

[Erasmus Darwin. F1319]

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B. takes no pictures so well as his own, not even yours – I must send you a sample – We did so enjoy our 3 days at Lauras tho' we were r. too full of Horace's troubles but things were more prosperous than they had been. - & Effie & T .H. were so cordial & affect – Laura joined us the last day- She is the best friend H. has; but she is wisely discreet in the matter.

On the muddy gravel walk I am looking at; but things nearly done