[1a]

22 Bry St

Sat. 1877

My dear Frank

Will you please look in the right hand drawer of my writing table for a very long envelope or bag, & send up by post the tickets for the R. S. soireé (if they are for next Wed.) as G. & poss. Horace are coming here to be at it.

Also send up F's ticket if it is on his chimney piece.

[George Darwin, 1845-1912 / Horace Darwin, 1851-1928. / CD & ED stayed at Bryanston Street from 6-15 January and 12-28 April.]

[1av]

12 21 10.05

12.37 1012

1005 2.20

Also will you read the 2 enclosed letters to Aunt Eliz. as C. L will not do for her maids.

Yours my dear old man.

E.D.

Horace came in yesterday from Cam- where he had been taking his M.A. He did not catch cold on his bicycle.

[Aunt Eliz: Caroline Elizabeth Wedgwood (1836-1916). ED's aunt.]

[1b]

My best love to Mrs Ruck—

F. is quite spry today—

The 3rd letter is an old one & need not be read

10.12 9.65 907

snowed down

10 + washed

10.21 — 9.49

1027 50

57 9.89

[ED's diary recorded 'Mrs Ruck" on 16 April. / Mrs Ruck: Matthews, Mary Anne, 1821?-1905. Married Lawrence Ruck. Mother of Mary Elizabeth and Amy Richenda Ruck (1850-1876). Mother-in-law of Francis Darwin.]

[1bv]

We fell in w. Mr Forrest & his story about Will looks rather bad. Mr. Nash was also present— It is said that the Bromley school master says that W. owned he had used the school money & borrowed this sum to replace it. Mr Nash said the only thing to do wd be to see the Bromley master & F. thinks he meant to do it

[Wallis Nash, 1837-1926. Lawyer, builder and writer. Close friend of the family.]

[2a]

Sunday

DOWN, BECKENHAM, KENT. RAILWAY STATIONORPINGTON. S.E.R.

My dear old man

B. perfectly well one motion this mg. rather relaxed but not mucous─ Here is Hen's account of a sharp attack of R ─ w, unluckily did not come on till Wm & Co had left them. it must have been v. alarming till they were

[R: Richard Litchfield, Henrietta's husband]

[2av]

assured that it was not inflammation, & what good fortune to get a Dr at once─ I wish they were safe at home─ Here is Wm not sounding v brilliant either─ & here is old Leo's comf. letter. Horace went yesterday, his friend Bell bicycling in his wake─

It was so bitterly cold

[Leonard Darwin, 1850-1943.]

[2b]

B. did not take his usual trip after tea, but contended himself w. the passages─ I will send on your letter to Bessy.

I felt in a thorough fidget all yesterday thinking what Hen. wd do if he was downright ill; but I have asked her to send a telegram & I trust tomorrow will be a better account─

Geo. is v. well & hard

[Elizabeth (Bessy) Darwin, 1847-1926.]

[2bv]

at drawing & making frogs. Parslow is taking about Mrs. Laslett's paper.

I must write a scrap abroad to Wm the where to send it I have not a guess─ When I went in the nursey I found B. had climbed on a footstool & was leaning against the chair. Geo. is m. struck w. the progress he has made in a fortnight both mentally & bodily

[from page 1:] I wish he wd go slower, one wants him to stick where he is— yours my dear E.D

[Parslow, Joseph, 1812-98. CD's butler, manservant. / Laslett, Hannah, mistress of the Girls & Infant School in Down in 1855.]

[3a]

Down Sat. 1877

Dearest Frank

B. has had 2 motions this mg. not relaxed & perfectly right. so I doubt about giving him more medicine, but I will give him one dose today.

George came very fresh & said he felt as if his journey was done by the time he got to Perth─

He has enjoyed much in spite of unwellness─

[3av]

He enjoyed 2 or 3 walks w. Arthur B. [Arthur Balfour] & thinks him the most agreeable man he knows─

I made F. put on a mustard plaister & he owned that his chest was better this mg.

B. was rather pleased at the sight of G. & promptly pulled his hair & went thro' all his accomplishments without

[3b]

a mistake.

I like the bag v. m. let me remember to pay you─ I send it off today.

yours my dear old man

E.D ─

A fine dry cold day for Mr Bell to bicycle over. Geo. was m. struck w. the prosperous look of all the poor people & with the good cottages, & thinks that deer stalking has on the whole done good

[3bv]

by calling attention to the barren parts where the people were starving.

Many have been removed to better situations so that they are not over-populated now─

Geo. was eager to see a from & made one after pulling one to pieces.

[4a]

 

DOWN / BECKENHAM, KENT. / RAILWAY STATION / ORPINGTON. S.E.R.

Thursday June 20 1878

My dear Frank

I have not written for some time I think; but I have little to tell except that we took B. in the carriage yesterday to call on Mrs F Norman & that he found his way on to the lawn where we were (it is that old white house on the way to Hayes nearly surrounded with trees, &

[4av]

a beautiful lawn it is) ─

He was q. at his ease & enjoyed seeing a little goat that was tethered on the lawn ─ There were 1/2 a dozen little Normans (some Henry N's close by) playing at cricket with a little maid as back stop─

Mrs F. Norman is decidedly nice; but I don't suppose much will come of it.

B. was r. envied coming home & had to stand up & examined all the men's buttons he cd reach─

[4b]

Last night it was a wonder to see him sup up his little egg cup of oil as if it was so good─

George came yesterday he has been m. rheumatic pain in the back the same that he had at Algiers; but his work is going well─ They have had meetings & discussing the abolishing of the Masters w. took place before Dr Thompson & was r awkward ─ Dr T. did not like it all, tho' it did not concern him personally, but it wd not be pleasant to hear

[4bv]

all the arguments as &c whether one was a useless incumbrance or not─

We have actually a blazing day after 3 fair ones & the hay mowing is to begin today. The continued wet in the midland counties has done great mischief to the crops─

The grass looks nearly as tall as the rails & we shall have an enormous crop & prob. get it in badly as those two things gen- go together.

[4c]

The Pall Mall is so cross at the entente between England & Russia that I think every thing must be going pretty well─

I trust there will be a strong opposition to our undertaking the guardianship of Asia Minor against Russia. such a way of preparing for another war. We expect Lenny tomorrow for a day & to go on his photog tour on Sat─ He finds the exhib

[4cv]

at Paris nearly as wearisome as I shd do─ miles of beds & brass work, tho' the P. of Wales pavillion (a set of rooms furnished in high art w. pictures well worth seeing)

J. B. Carter was a v pleasant companion & I suppose Horace will appear soon─

F. keeps very well; but he will tell you what he is about─ B. [Bessy] has written to invite Mary D'Arcy ──

Goodbye my dear

E.D

[D'arcy, Mary Miss, Bessy's friend. / Harry Wedgwood.]

[4d]

Your letter has just come in & has delighted F─ Sachs appreciation of the Dipsacus  is most satisfac─ & set of F. in a fresh rage with the R. S & a resolution that Sir Joseph shall hear of it somehow─ If ever he wants a little additional stimulus he has only to turn his mind to D. Galton & Horace, so that he is well off between the 2─

Bernard is intensely interested in the horse mowing machine.

[4dv]

Stamps inside

We will look for twisting things

[In another's hand:] '78 Thursday June 20

[5a]

Wednesday

June 26 1878

My dear Frank

I am glad you have been dining out, the desperate circumstances will bring you on in German. Do they say Mahlzeit after the meal?

We have had three desperate hot days (to my feelings tho' not above 74 by the therm.) since our tropical storm on Sunday─

[5av]

the garden had been so gay in the morning & it looked so desolate on Monday every flower that was out beaten off or battered down; now the larkspurs & Campanula's have recovered─

Bernard was rather interested in the thunder before it came near, & kept on bang shooting when he heard it─

But when the thunder & the hail on the veranda

[5b]

were quite deafening he took no heed.─ It was quite partial & did not reach Keston; but unluckily reached the strawberry grounds & did immense damage ─ yesterday the muddy pool at the end of the orchard had not disappeared. F. was out in it & in 1/4 of an hour the whole straight walk was covered with water & he had to walk thro' a river to get into the house.

[5bv]

B. was a little languid yesterday; but M. [Mary Anne Westwood, nanny) is sure it is his teeth. He looks q. comf. this mg─ He is q. inexorable every mg in making Bessy take him to the holly tree in the field w, is covered with berries & bringing home a stock to play with. He says No constantly w the right meaning, & "Baby" with s modest smile as if it was a wonderful accomplishment

[5c]

He also says Oh 'ou boo boo to the flowers.

F. was v. m. interested in yr letter, but no doubt he will write. He has been but poorly these 2 days─ Our plans are fixed to do to L.H.P [Leith Hill Place, home of Josiah Wedgwood, ED's brother.] on 5 August Abinger on 10 Barlaston on 15 home on 22. If you are not returned we shall prob take Bernard to L.H.P. & Bessy will stay with him whilst we stay at

[5cv]

Barlaston where she has lately been & so does not care for going again.

We have Miss Thorley for 3 days v. prosperous─

Her deafness has improved her for F. as she quite lets him alone─ Her affairs are quite out of her brother's hands & in her lawyers but they are not yet settled so that they cannot yet say their money is their own─ I don't mind

[Miss Thorley, former governess of the Darwin children]

[5d]

her the least when she talks on about her own affairs. The hat has again gone round for the clock w. was £20 short, so we have all added a little─

Ff asked At [aunt] E. to give £5 – which shewed perseverance after all that had gone before─ she means to give £2─

The Kempsons come up from the other house today for a week & I am sorry that the hay will be over today─ also

[Ff=  Ffinden, Rev. George Sketchley. 1871-1911 vicar of Down. / Kempsons: ED's relatives. ED's niece Louisa Frances Wedgwood married William John Kempson.]

[5dv]

for the Band of Hope tea drinking which is rather a puzzling affair & I don't think she will undertake it another year. The little Hooks & Skinners have broken their pledge. The Skinners are to sign again & whether to have them & t leave out the Hooks, or have them all or have none─ is very difficult to settle─

yours my dear old man─ E.D

I have settled to have none─

[Band of Hope: a temperance group ran by Louisa A'hmuty Nash.]

[6a]

Friday 28 June 1878

My dear Frank

We had the B. of Hope tea drinking yesterday & sent off B. & the little Kempsons to the other house, because the whooping cough lingers about still. He enjoyed his dissipation extremely & ordered the children & Lucy about─ Being with children is wholesome for him as he is a little jealous & did not quite like Lucy having a pencil as well as himself─

[Lucy Kempson (1874-1958), youngest daughter of William and Louisa Kempson.]

[6av]

The day was blazing (as is today also) & everything went off brilliantly─

Miss Burfoot was of the greatest use & help; but made a mistake in starting Kiss in the ring, w. biggish boys & Jackson of the party & I shall forbid it at the school feast─

We settled to admit none of the delinquents; but Mrs Nash sent them a message that they shd come to Beckenham if she heard of their going on well

[Jackson: William Jackson, manservant at Down House. / Mrs Nash: Louisa A'hmuty Nash, née Desborough. / School feast: A charity event the Darwin's sponsored.]

[6b]

Miss Thorley read them a story; but none but a few sober ones had patience to sit & listen.

John said of his little boys "I told them I wd box their ears if they broke their pledge again" but I am afraid that threat wd not have m. effect E Miss Th- attacked G. w. a multitude of questions about Algiers; but I think she really liked hearing & he answered them very fully─ He went to London yesterday & she

[One of the Thorley sisters who were govenesses.]

[6bv]

goes today, & F. has stood her v. well, as indeed he has had little to do with her. He is but languid but has had v. few letters to write. I wanted to persuade him to go at once to L. H P. but I am afraid he won't.

These little K's are no sort of trouble & not ennvied either which is the case sometimes with quiet children─

[6c]

[In another's hand:] Friday 28 78?

I am v. tolerably satisfied w. public affairs; if they can guarantee a tol-government for the new province of S. Roumelia, & I shall put up w. Dizzy being made a Duke as that will rather make him ridiculous─ we have put B. into his old muslin frocks & he looks pretty & babyish again. He is q well; but has not m. appetite this hot weather.

[Dizzy: Nickname for Benjamin Disraeli, Prime Minister 1874-1880.]

[6cv]

Uncle Ras ─ has had some Diarrhea & sickness but is better again ─ He says that Surman is perfect as a nurse ─ George & Hen will look after him.

The Litches go to Laura's this next Sat. & I am sorry for as I think we shall be nice & roasting here. I hope to hear of some more dissipation on your part.

yours my dear old man E.D.

[Uncle Ras: Erasmus Alvey Darwin, Darwin's brother. / Surman, F. W: Erasmus Alvey Darwin's butler / Litches: Richard and Henrietta Litchfield.]

[7a]

DOWN / BECKENHAM, KENT. / RAILWAY STATION / ORPINGTON. S.E.R.

July 12- 1878 Friday

My dear Frank

We have been so prosperous that I am afraid you have been neglected. We had a v. nice visit from the Wms tho' Sara was q. poorly the 1st day─

I think she certainly comes out more in Theo's absence─

Louisa Lud. & little Ethel are here for 2 nights & B. is most virtuous on the whole, tho'

[Wms: William and Sara Darwin. / Theodora Ashburner, Sara's sister. / Louisa Ludwig, former governess.]

[7av]

he is occasionally taken w. a slight fit of aversion; but they have both been models of goodness over the little watering pot. She is the fairest child I ever saw & v. small; but quite fat enough & eats plenty.

Poor Dickie seems to have been v. miserable & wanted to give up his commission but luckily was not allowed I suppose he is gone.

I am not altogether sorry for this Coup d'etat of Dizzy. It is lucky for Cyprus & Asia Minor but a most dangerous scheme for us─ yours my dear- I am r. headachy & brief─ E.D─

[from page 1:] Poor Louisa L. is a most happy old nurse but I think is threatened w. softening of the brain about her childrens witticisms & doings. It must be a warning to us never to repeat B's doings or sayings. L. L is trotting after her the whole day.

[Sir Richard (Dickie) Matthews, 1851-1935. Amy Ruck's brother.]

[8a]

Down

Saturday July 20 1878

My dear Frank

Another blazing day & it will be nice for the Hookers who are coming w. little Joseph─ I had intended to ask the Huxleys & Mady, but by Bessie's suggestion consulted Dr Moore & he did not think it "quite without risk" to my surprise as Mady has now been more than 5 weeks going about among people─ She is not strong yet, but can't be weak as she went to a garden party at the

[Joseph Dalton Hooker and family. / Thomas Henry Huxley and family. / Mady: Huxley's daughter. / Dr Moore: Dr. Norman Moore, family doctor and friend.]

[8av]

Spottiswoode's which is rather a fatiguing expedition.

They have got Jessie with them & are going on the 3rd to Dublin B. ass. & on to Sir V. Brooke's ─ so I hope she will be quite set up.

(B. is running about in baby frock & short sleeves & pinafore& looks so pretty.

He is still constant to the sand heap.

We had a nice young German yesterday walking over from Bromley nephew of Prof. Jäger of

[William Spottiswoode (1825-1883). Physicist, mathematician and President of the Royal Society 1878-83./ V. Brooke: Victor Brooke (1843-1891). Sportsman and naturalist. First visited the Darwins in May 1877. / Nephew: Of Gustav Jäger (1832-1917). German zoologist and physicist of Stuttgart. (1869) Author of Die Darwin'sche Theorie und ihre Stellung zu Moral und Religion.]

[8b]

Stuttgart, come to England to look for employment as Engineer & asking F. for any recommendation!!

All we could do was to give him luncheon. He was very modest & quite a gentleman.

Lady. L. brought her proof sheets for F. to suggest any thing, & he finds it most excellently done─ She says it is Sir John's doing; but I don't believe he could have time. F. could write his pretty note with a good conscience & he would have had to make it pretty whether or no.)

[[Lubbock, Ellen Frances.] 1878. Contemporary Portraits. New Series.— No. 8. Charles Darwin, F.R.S. University Magazine 2: 154–63. PDF]

[8bv]

The Litches are at Southampton & will enjoy the weather; but R. is not very well─

I send you a leading article of the Pall Mall to shew you what a fury he is in, which makes me hope that the Treaty is not so very bad a thing after all, except our guarantee against Russia.

Lord Salisbury seems to have utterly lost his temper.

F. has found a delicious little clover seed pod burying its nose in the ground─ your letters are very entertaining, seeing an entirely new bit of life is pleasant to look [from page 1:] back upon, tho' it may not be v. amusing at the time. yours my dear E.D.

[9a]

DOWN / BECKENHAM, KENT. / RAILWAY STATION / ORPINGTON. S.E.R.

July 22- 1878

My dear Frank

It is pleasant to think of seeing you so soon. I am afraid however that we shall be at L. H. P. where I hope you might like to join us. You have had a very cordial invitation from Aunt Caroline; but you will be quite at liberty to do what you like best. Of course if you do not come there we should leave Bernard at home to receive you.

[Aunt Caroline: Caroline Sarah Darwin (1800-1888), Darwin's sister, married to Josiah Wedgwood III, Emma's brother.]

[9v]

His favourite story now is going to meet Dadda at the train & all the creatures he saw on the road.

We have had a pleasant visit from the Hookers & little Joseph. He is quite a pretty baby now, but Lady H. brought him close to B. & tried to make him friendly so that he rather hated him. We invited Willy & Charley for next Saturday but they cd not come─

Charley because he is trying again at his exam. & I trust he will get thro' this time.

[9b]

The weather has been delicious these 3 days & we sat out most of the day; but today is a thunder storm, & I am afraid it may all go.

Horace still keeps very languid & has so m. to do that it is very vexatious for him.

He has got a grant from govt to the Meteorolog. Office some Soc. (chiefly thro' F. Galton) for his machine; but he will not be able to work at any thing so abstruse.

Sir J. Hooker talked wonderful nonsense about the Eastern Q. & when Lady H. heard our opinions she quite enjoyed speaking out & said she had

[Galton, Sir Francis, 1822-1911. Polymath, traveller, travel writer, eugenicist and statistician. CD's half-first cousin.]

[9bv]

not been able to say her soul was her own for ever so long about it. He talked like a schoolboy. "The Bulgarians were a wretched lot." The Greeks did not deserve any help, "because of their brigandage. "The Armenians were worth nothing" &c & I believe the root of it is that Dizzy has been very considerate & kind to him telling him to fix on his own Sec. Harriet is quite well now; but I think there is no cordiality between them.

We shall have to put on more petticoats now w. B. after this storm, yours my dear ─ I am sure you will [from page 1:] feel that this stay in Germany has been well worth the exertion.

[10a]

1878

My dear Frank

I hope you will join us at L. H. P. otherwise it will seem so long not to see you till the 24th [August]─

At Caroline sends a warm welcome & wd be disappted not to see you.

The school feast was grand greatly owing to Lena & Miss Brander who played tunes on violin & Cello─ B. saw it out

[Massingberd, Emily Caroline (Lena), 1847-97. Elder daughter of Charles Langton and Emily Catherine Darwin.]

[10v]

of the window, because of the whooping cough & enjoyed it more than if he had been in the hubbub. He though the hideous singing lovely mam-maw─ we had gt searchings of heart about the weather but it behaved beaut─

About a present to Sachs people always value English cutlery & if he has every thing Mme Sachs wd be sure to

[10b]

like a v. choice case of scissors & penknive

no more today─

We are off on Wed─

I shall rejoice to see you

yours E D─

[10bv]

[Expenses not transcribed]

[11a]

Barlaston

Stoke on Trent

[August] 1878

My dear Frank

We are just arrived after a most luxurious journey in a saloon carriage (why they let us have it we cd not conceive as we only paid for 4 places) but it makes such a difference lying down & not looking out of the window & we are neither of us a bit tired.

I am glad to see Rose looking quite well─

[Barlaston: Home of Francis and Frances Wedgwood. Rose is their daughter (1846-1903). / ED's diary recorded "came to Barlaston" on 15 August 1878.]

[11av]

Our visit at Abinger was entirely pleasant & Effie charming & merry─ Bessy till Tuesday & then goes to the Shaens & Leo. comes there for the Sat & Sunday & then on here. T. H. is as frantic about politics as ever I cd wish & read aloud Betsey Prig in the last Punch with gt gusto.

It was quite dismal seeing all the fields soaking with the corn─ (We are rather thirsty for some news of

[ED's diary recorded "came to Abinger" on 12 August 1878. / Wedgwood, Katherine Euphemia (Effie), 1839-1931. 4th child of Hensleigh and Fanny Mackintosh.]

[11b]

you & Bernard, or rather Bernard & you.)

The Litches come here tomorrow en route for Litchfield─

yours my dear Fr─

E.D ─

Bessy's address between Tuesday & Friday is Mrs Shaen

Fairmile Park Cobham Surrey─

[Shaen, William, 1821-87. Solicitor and educationalist. Unitarian. 1851 Sept. 2 Married

Emily Winkworth. Two sons, John and Godfrey, one daughter Margaret.]

[12a]

Down

Wednesday 1878

My dear Frank─

We have felt so quiet & small ─ I wonder whether you saw Eras on Monday, he seems to be very unwell, but Dr Black assures them that there is nothing to be uneasy about─

Marianne & Jane are going to shop at Bromley today, & Mrs Ev. & Harriet will be v. happy to undertake B─

His eye is hardly at all bloodshot but the skin

[Mary Anne Westwood (Nanna), Bernard's nurse. / Margaret Evans, housekeeper and cook / Jane, maid.]

[12av]

round his eye looks a little red & rashy ─ I will have Dr Willy in a few days if it does not disappear. He is q. jolly & goes on constantly about Dadda & his going in the boo boo.

I am sending for Louisa to do the other house & Mrs Parslow is taking the same opp- to go & consult Dr Rerchel for her eye w. is dreadfully painful & bad.

[Parslow, Mrs Eliza, née Richards, 1812-81. 1845 Married to Joseph P. Mrs P was

ED's personal maid before marriage.]

[12b]

F. is v. well & not done up ─ so goodbye my dear old man ─ your beginning of German life will be very interesting to hear about─

Dyer is taking Ht [Harriet] to the sea but cannot stay w. her. He is [torn] about the opening of the gardens & thinks it will be carried; chiefly thro' the Colon. Sec. (who is he) who hates all science ─ yours E.D

[Thiselton-Dyer, Sir William Turner, 1843-1928. Botanist. Married Harriet Anne Hooker. 1876 D helped CD with experiments for Insectivorous plants. 1877 Reviewed Fertilisation. 1879 D helped CD with botanical material from Kew, e.g. 1879 CD to D, on a species of Oxalis.]

[12bv]

Shall I pay Griffith's Bill for glass jars £1-1

[13a]

DOWN / BECKENHAM, KENT. / RAILWAY STATION / ORPINGTON. S.E.R.

[July] 1878

My dear Frank

Dr Moore will have told you that he did not think B's legs improved & that he advised cod liver again so we have begun it.

He was m. struck w. his robust appearance & good muscles & thought the little blush on the eye ball of no sort of consequence─

He has had a v. happy time w. Theo. & Hen─ Theo. makes him laugh whenever she

[Moore, Sir Norman, Bart, 1847-1922. Physician and antiquary. Of St. Bartholomew's Hospital. M attended CD in his last illness.]

[13av]

she speaks, but his chief passion now is pushing chairs up and down the verandah.

Here is Horace's last- (no I will send it first to George & desire him to send it on to you-) He seems to be very busy, but I could have wished he had not gone into the sewers, tho' Dr Moore says they are quite healthy. He smoked all the way. I am glad Leo. is gone to Pairs, tho' he will only have 4 days. Theo. went this mg to Southampton & has

[13b]

little more than a fortnight before she begins her horrid voyage─ It is a real misfortune it being so difficult for her to come over to Sara─

Caroline goes to L.H.P. & so we are all alone again─

yours my dear old man E. D─

I suppose you cd not bear to be an "inmate" or you wd get much more unconscious learning by hearing so m. German talk─

[13bv]

I fancy you ought to call on Mr & Mrs Sachs. I know that when new people come to live in a town they go to call on the old residents just the contrary from what we do. But a visitor might be different couldn't you make out anyhow.

Father has sent off the report of phys. by to day's post.

[14a]

Monday─ August 1878

My dear Frank

Wm & Sara came on Sat, but the Southampton train just missed so that they had to wait 1 3/4 of hr at London B─ & Sara arrived v tired. She seems but poorly still & I suspect that the last days of Theo have been rather a strain on her─ Wm went w. Theo to Liverpool on Wed & started her w. a kind American lady, who is not sea-sick, but has 4 children.

[14av]

It was quite calm so that it was to be hope she wd have one tol. night.

Yesterday Bessy was taking charge of B. so she took him in the wag. to meet the Litches at Orpington, which was thev. successful for all parties.

We have dressed him in his old muslin frocks w. low necks & short sleeves for the hot weather & he looks so pretty. Horace has taken to galloping about with him on his shoulders & leaping which delights him─ He has all

[14b]

his old vigour & appetite now & sticks to his gruel─

I am afraid it wd be quite foolish of Ho- to go to America; for one thing the Balfour business will not be finished & Mr Price Williams seems to be about to give him a job & seems to think highly of him, & tell him that Mr Easton is "a very good friend of his." There is a gt deal of lawn tennis & I am going to see if Mr Hoole likes to join this p.m. as he told Horace "If ever you want a very bad lawn tennis player, I hope you will ask me.

[Hoole, Rev. Arthur Stanley, 1866-1935. 1877- Curate at Downe church, presumably as a locum for G.S. Ffinden, then the vicar. Son of Stanley H.]

[14bv]

Theo's last good deed was driving off 8 miles & capturing a cook & bringing her home to Sara─ whose soul is m exercised what to do about a young maid w. a lover when they go away; I think she had better get rid of her in a friendly way as it wd never do to leave her at home for nearly 3 months w. little to do─

I am writing at my gorgeous new table w. is beautiful.

Goodbye my dear Frank

yours E.D.

Your Americans sound v. nice & hospitable

[15a]

DOWN / BECKENHAM, KENT. / RAILWAY STATION / ORPINGTON. S.E.R.

Tuesday [19 November] 1878

My dear Frank

I send almost all the photos which are q. charming but I think No 2. is 100 times the most so, & I have sent to order 2 dozen for myself 1 1 dozen of No 1- without a cap─

[15av]

No 3 I think very inferior. I am rather in a whirl on coming home─ so I will only enclose F's check which he says gives him less trouble than forestalling your allowance & you can pay him again when you are rich.─

[15b]

It will be very nice to have you tomorrow week & esp. Bernard─ whose absence makes the house flat─ I like hearing all his goings on─

We had a jolly 3 last days at Basset w. Leo & Horace only I was provoked not to be well.

F. is come home brisk but in rather a tornado among pamphlets books &

[Francis and Bernard left for Wales on 10 October.]

[15bv]

letters (not many of these & one from such an idiot he is not going to answer it)─ Horace is v. busy drawing the Wisting house brake & finds it most difficult. He is estab. at No 6─

My best love to Mrs Ruck. I shall write to her soon─ Uncle Jos & Sophy come tomorrow & Huxleys & Romanes on Sat─ but we shall have Leo & H.

your my dear E.D

[from page 1:] We had a comf. journey. We rejoice at Dickie's reprieve-

[No. 6 Queen Anne Street is the home of Erasmus Darwin. / ED's diary recorded "Huxleys in mg" on 24 November. / Romanes, George John, 1848-94. Canadian-born British biologist and zoologist who also wrote on psychology and physiology. R worked at University College London and at Oxford. R coined the term Neo-Darwinism.]

[16a]

DOWN / BECKENHAM, KENT. / RAILWAY STATION / ORPINGTON. S.E.R.

Wednesday December, 1878

 

My dear Frank

I have just seen B. eating his porridge quite eagerly & he is perfectly well now─ He enjoyed playing w. Lucy v. much yesterday & it is a pity he did not find out sooner how pleasant it was, as they are going away today. It wd be very good for him to play w. little Alice, he wd soon get over

[Possibly Lucy Kempson, 1874-1958.]

[16av]

his little jealousies.

Mary D'arcy came ard Monday & went away yesterday with B. The days were both dismal & cold so we only sat & talked & she had B. who however sticks so to Bessy he was not v gracious at first. She seems in good hopes about her progress as Legros- came & talked a long time to her & gave her advice how to go on in the vacation. Marian H. had got the prize for etching.

Poor Uncle Harry's company

[Wedgwood, Henry Allen (Hal/Harry), 1799-1885. CD's first cousin and brother-in-law.]

[16b]

is so depressing that I shall feel it a relief when he is gone & I am v. sorry that Louisa, whose spirits are entirely dependent on those of other people, should live with a person who is absolutely without spirits. I am sure Rowland's chatter is a most useful element in that family, & Louisa spoke very warmly of his affection & considerableness. He & Arthur are both gone to Switz. but not together, as Rowland joins a parson friend & stays at Macognaga─

[Louisa Frances and Rowland Henry. Children of Henry Allen Wedgwood.]

[16bv]

We have not quite finished the hay as the machine is damaged & it has to be done by hand, & F. is resolved to buy the machine from Horace & not hire it out, as it seemed to him that our own convenience gave way to that of all our neighbours─

F. is v. much better these few days, & will not hasten his visits; as indeed I doubt whether he could.

Bernard went in the carriage yesterday with Mary D' & Bessy & enjoyed it v. m. but not so m. as an open

[from page 1:] yours my dear old man E.D

[17a]

Friday 78? 79

My dear Frank

We have treated you badly about the cheque but here it is at last─

The little Langtons & Lilly are here at lawn tennis, I Stevy plays quite tidily. You will be so m. dazzled with Bernard's vocabulary that I must prepare you with a list─

Abelleba ─ himself

Hup ─ up─

Dee ─ a letter

Bee ─ Ditto but not often.

[17av]

besides all the names of people ─ He took at once to C. Langton calling him Babba.

It is very nice to think how soon we shall see you─ I wish we may see the meeting between you & B.

I hope we shall hear positive news of Dicky soon─ It appears that all thoughts of torpedos at the Cape are given up, & the engineers were to sail today, and when Mrs Ruck wrote D's name was not among them. We have been telegraphing to Leo

[17b]

to tell him that D. was not gone & to get him to go & see him, as poor Dickie was in a morbid state about Leo─ & it wd be good for him to see him; & I believe he went today. I wish Mrs. R. wd have come here, but she told Bessy she was too uncomfortable, & she was staying on from day to day. She has been for some days at Pavenham & had the satisfaction of seeing a very wilful little boy of B's age.

Horace went to London yesterday still quite poorly & went was to on to Basset tomorrow for a few days. He is longing to be at his work poor fellow.

[17bv]

We have an alarming amount of dissipation during the next week─ Litchfields singing class tomorrow, dancing on the green &c─ Tuesday garden party at High Elms. Wed─ Temp. Lecture─ Friday school feast & Sat the choice to 2 garden parties at the Teesdales & Normans. [Line crossed]

How you will envy us!!

I saw Dr Moore's young lady the other day─ She is very pretty & pleasing, only too tall. Lena walked to the Station today (in such a hot coat made by a tailor) of quite thick cloth) to sit for her picture. She is quite pleasant & cares more for her children than she used to do─

[from page 1:] Goodbye my dearest old man. E.D

[High Elms was the home of John Lubbock, 1834-1913. / John Marmaduke Teesdale, 1844-1928. Solicitor. Assistant solicitor to the Treasury. / George Wade Norman, CD's "clever neighbour."]

[18a]

Wed Feb 12 79

My dear Frank

How I hope you may have had such a voyage as G. had; but that is too good luck to expect─ The weather has been so soft & warm; but today it has a touch of sharpness but looks bright & dry─ B. gets out a good deal. "Play with dirt" Continues in full vogue 3 times a day; but I think

[18av]

it is blessing to mothers as he makes no mess at all─ He has all his rub a dub dubs & their pots & all sorts of apparatus & it lasts him a full hour with a constant flow of talk ─ F. keeps pretty brisk & has not had (yet) so much birth day correspondence as usual yes 3 or 4 German letters today─ He has however recd a Gratulation-heft from Preyer containing an excellent life & a poem & such an exact list of his works that he can't think how they

[The letter was written by Karl Alberts, publisher of Kosmos. To mark the occasion of Darwin's 70th birthday, a special issue containing a poem by Karl Fitger and biographical sketch by Preyer were enclosed. LL2: 218: "The same number contains a good biographical sketch of my father, of which the material was to a large extent supplied by him to the writer, Prof. Preyer of Jena. The article contains an excellent list of my father's publications."]

[18b]

have obtained it─ I was very glad to get your nice long letter from Marseilles.

Bessy called on the Teesdales & found Mrs. T. better but did not see her. Also on the Forrests who seem to have been very kind to that family of Tongs whose father however now has not at last gone to work─

There has been a rumpus about the singing & Miss Burfoot- Mr Pearson sold her that her services in singing wd not be required

[18bv]

any more─ She had an inkling that Mr Hoole was the chief enemy to her singing & went & sat behind him & sung to such good purpose that he left the church─

I think it will never do to keep such a brazen young woman as that to teach girls or indeed boys─

I am very glad that George has taken the villa: it will feel very odd for you two boys─

Bessy has had a letter from Lily, saying she is quite well & getting more used to every thing & still has her little room to herself.

[18c]

The sewerage affairs are pretty well settled & F. lets Leo & Horace do their worst─ which will be building a large cesspool at the end of the orchard w. a fixed pump hidden among the bushes, & pipes to the field ─ to include stables also ─

Horace is a bit better & fully intended to go to the Romanes wedding yesterday & to Cambridge today ─ I tried Fred Myers

[18vc]

article on Virgil to F.─ w. succeeded admirably in sending him to sleep, but he did not want any more of it when he was awake ─ It always seems to me that people find more supernatural beauty in Classical poetry than it is possible to believe there is any poetry.

Bessy is hard at her Italian Farmers & Ellen Tollet come on Sat─

[Frederic W. H. Myers. 1867. Saint Paul (a poem) / Ellen Harriet Tollet, family friend.]

[18d]

Just got Geo's 2nd from Algiers─

yours my 2 dear sons E.D.

[ED's diary recorded Francis "went to Algiers" on 4 February.]

[19a]

Down

Whet Tuesday [3 June 1879]

My dear Frank

I have just recd a 1£ from B. Sanderson for von Baer─ which I will keep till further orders. I am to give it to Horace I find.

We are expecting the Club & band before long & B. has been v. full of it since yesterday, & wanting to know all details & who will carry the flag the flag is dead w. proved a disappot. It rained for 36 hours till this mg─ & every thing is soaked & dismal─ "Ubba dubba

[ED's diary recorded rain came 1 June at 4 to 3 June morning.]

[19av]

knocked Ubba Lubba's head but it wasn't much" He always says "I think" now─ so I am afraid he will get to speak well before v. long─ you will be surprised to hear of Babba's sternness ─ B. overbearing w. little Alice & not giving her her rights about the slide & pulled him up short with Oh. nonsense &c─ B. was astonished but it quite answered─

He is v. good & placid about washing &c & I have

[19b]

had no temptation to resort to resort to lumps of sugar since the day at Basset; but I will not yield to the temptation in any way as you do not approve of that method of education.

Hen. came on Sat. & is better; but still lying down. B. pays long visits on her bed & is very good company to her. R. has been for 2 days to Cam. & is coming today & will tell us what to do about Mr Ff. who now says that his claim is for £15 to be refunded instead of

[Henrietta and Richard came on 31 May and Ffinden's letter was dated 31 May.]

[19bv]

£10. (He says that the land he bought from At. E. 6 yrs ago was measured wrongly & he has only just discovered it Wed). Good natured R. offers to undertake the whole affair.

A lovely mg at last w. is so rare an event one must notice it. I trust poor Horace's pit will not fall in any more. F. is v. desponding about it & in his secret heart believes that it will never get finished. B. liked yr last letter extremely & had it many times─ He was most solemn listening to the band holding Babba's hand; but he like to talk about it today)

[From page 1:] F. has had a letter from Gen. Kaufman from Tachkent sending him a collection of wheat from Central Asia He seems glad to have it. Mr Richmond comes today to prepare

[CD wrote to Ffinden on 4 June to say that Richard Litchfield will "look into the case".]

[Konstantin Petrovich von Kaufman, 1818-1882. The first Governor-General of Russian Turkestan.]

[20a]

DOWN / BECKENHAM, KENT. / RAILWAY STATION / ORPINGTON. S.E.R.

Monday June 9 [1879]

My dear Frank

It was very cheering that Prof. Sachs gave you such a cordial reception & made so much of you─ I have no doubt it must have felt difficult & flat to turn to upon some definite work─ Romanes came on Sat. & finished his onions or beans, w had behaved badly. Also he had had no success w. jelly fish in Suffolk.

Horace & Leo came & he dined & went of afterwards. We had such a water spout of rain at 6 o'clock. The walk was filled

[Francis Darwin was at this time in Würzburg.]

[20av]

a few minutes & even a pool on the lawn was soon made

B. had to quack tremendously all the time & run out & see how it was going on. Leo had been at the Flowers reception & had a long talk w. F. Galton.

It was v. empty owing he supposed to the thunder & rain─ He met Nanny Allen & Henrieta Wedgwood to whom he was introduced to his extreme puzzle─ Also Mary Norman who told him of her brother Charles marriage on Tuesday to a Miss Mangles of Surrey─ Elinor came yesterday & seemed to think she wd be very suitable & not very young & the Norman's were happy about it. She is not a sister of the one we know & that is a good thing.

[Galton, Sir Francis, 1822-1911, CD's half-first cousin. / Elinor Mary Bonham-Carter, family friend.]

[20b]

2

Lady Lubbock is writing lives of F. One for the University Magazine, & they also want a photo─ but mean to be content without one─ The other is coming today but it is a high wind & not suitable. Leo. & Ho. brough tapes & pegged them down for Lawn Tennis & had some hours game before Horace went to London to meet J.B.C. & go off the Pairs this mg. when he will have a horrid passage. The last 1/2 hour before he went a Mr Prothero (fellow of Kings) staying at the Daniells walked over for a call, & Horace was regretting he had not asked F. to come in─ a v. nice man.

B. takes more to his peram & enjoys v. m. having the boys at home to run after him─

[CD in his own letter to FD on 3 June said "Lady L. is going to write another life of me for the University Mag.! She must be mad." [Lubbock, Ellen Frances.] 1878. Contemporary Portraits. New Series.— No. 8. Charles Darwin, F.R.S. University Magazine 2: 154–63. PDF / Prothero, Sir George Walter, 1848-1922. Historian and writer. Cambridge friend of CD's sons. 1876-94 Fellow of King's College Cambridge.]  

 

[20bv]

the rash in his face is quite gone & there is the slightest tinge left on the eye ball; but i am sure that will soon be gone.

Marianne went to church & he woke up so solemn & reflective with me & we had such a long consideration of the wall paper (Cranes). He is partic. nice at that time.

They have nice weather at Cam. R. was bubbling over w. wrath at Theo. for not admiring King's Coll. Chapel & people had better affect to admire a little if they can't do it really. He can hardly bear to ask her to go w. them to Ely─

Geo. is pretty well & comes to them to dinner & they to him to lunch. They are v. full of University reform & abolishing the masterships. Diceys are coming to [from page 1:] luncheon today.

yours my dear old man─ Leo. met Dickie who cd not tell him whether he was going to be married now or not─ I q. enjoy having the Eastern war off my mind.─ E.D─

[21a]

Down Tuesday June 10 1879

My dear Frank

I think your tour must have been v. jolly & all the more from their being foreigners which makes it more entertaining as taking new views of things.

Mr Pattrick & Camilla are here & Bernard took quite a long walk w. Mr Pattrick with a stick in his hand bang─shooting the bears. Camilla is not come down yet being still quite poorly.

[Pattrick St. Reginald and Camilla Ludwig. She was a former governess at Down House.]

[21av]

a really fine day today & Horace's pit is advanced so far as to be considered safe. They are putting buttresses to support the side against the sand─ He is off to London & Cambridge. Bessy went up to Bry. St yesterday to go to a French play w. R. Hermani', a tremendous tragedy of Victor Hugo; & she has been studying it so hard that I think she will feel q. up to it. Her preparations will be all finished by the end of the week. Little Walter is going on q. well & Mary brings him & Robt. on Friday to settle

[Mary Atkin, née Ruck, sister of Amy Ruck. Walter and Robert are her children and are Bernard's cousins.]

[21b]

them. I have engaged the schoolmaster to give them lessons 3 times a week & he promises to make it amusing to them. He can only fin come in the evening. He told me that the school was utterly disorganized & he had to cane two boys; but spoke highly of young Sales─ so I hope he will keep up his new character.

Mr Ff. has been outdoing himself. R. saw a letter from him to the Ecc. Comm. saying that Miss W. was willing to pay him the £15 & asking for an authorization to receive it.

After finding him out in this

[Ecclesiastical Commissioners]

[21bv]

tremendous falsehood, R. felt it wd be too awkward to meet him & treat him like a gentleman & so I don't know what will happen─ It will be a gt blow to the poor man to find that R. is in the service of the Ecc. Comm.

Hen. is well in health & walks a little more; Bernard sits w. her a great deal & they have a gt deal of talk.

The band still goes on & he has invented quite a brilliant little tune upon the drum. We asked Mary D'arcy to come on Sat. but she is too busy. We are going to make Mme Sachs cake as soon as [from page 1:] Camilla has translated it. yours my dear. E.D

[Letter from Ffinden to Darwin is dated 31 May 1879 on this matter.]

[22a]

Down Friday 20 [June]'79

My dear Frank

It is pleasant to hear you talking of any thing like fixing the time of your return. B. was m. pleased w. your picture & instantly changed his style & desired to have men & pick axes, instead of soldiers. He enquired anxiously where Nanna was, but was satisfied w. settling that she was at the back of the page. The little boys are so entirely without giving

[22av]

trouble, that I feel I ought to see more of them─

They have got the old sledge out & do a gt deal of driving w. 2 whips. I was amused to hear a dialogue between them & John in which he made the most feeble attempts not to give them the whip "Naw I cannot let you have that, I don't know as I've got another &c─ but quite in vain─ They are a good deal w. him & I am sure can learn no harm─

[John Skinner, Down House coachman.]

[22b]

Their lessons take up the evgs w the schoolmaster whom they like─

Mr Richmond (accomp. by a most lovely young Italian to sit as model in the red cloak) came on Wed. & unluckily F. has been partic. unwell; so that his sittings are v. irksome to him but I read aloud now r. fatigues him less than talking.

Rowland & Caroline have been here for 2 days. He is not improved by his conversion or else I have

[Richmond, Sir William Blake, 1842-1921. Son of George R. Artist. 1879 Jun. CD sat for him in LL.D. robes, exhibited RA 1881. £400 subscribed by members of Cambridge Philosophical Society. Now hangs in the Department of Zoology, Cambridge. / Rowland and Caroline Wedgwood.]

[22bv]

grown more impatient of him; but he has the manner as if what he said was of consequence─

Miss Desborough writes to Aunt Eliz. that the Nashes arrived in Oregon on the very day month from the day they left Liverpool. The baby quite well & having cut a tooth on the road─ Their house was not ready so Cap. Hogg took them in Cap. Ayles seem to be with them & very helpful & they seem to expect Mrs Ayles

[22c]

& her children to join them. They did not stop to see Niagara. I do hope all will be prosperous with them now.

The great ditch was dug in front of the hall door yesterday & unluckily Mr & Mrs Norman called & had to get in by the back regions. When they went away a bridge was improvised over the ditch. Horace had to be at work levelling all day.

[22cv]

a very prosperous letter from Bessy from Pairs after an excellent passage & S. Mary most helpful in bustling about─

yours my dearest old man E D

[22d]

Friday 20 '79

[23a]

Down Wed July 9 [1879]

[pencil note in another's hand 79 or 85]

My dear Frank

Horace went off yesterday in a v. nervous frame of mind to dine by invitation w. T.H.F. We expect no definite good from it; but it certainly is v. unlike a veto on the engagement─

Such a week's rain we have had ever since our return from West Hackhurst. The boys are wonderfully

[Farrer, Sir Thomas Henry, 1st Bart (1883), 1819-1899. Statistician, barrister and civil servant. Abinger Hall, Dorking, Surrey. Father of Emma Cecilia (Ida) who later married Horace on 3 January 1880.]

[23av]

good & most ennvied.

Walter is always sensible & tactful. Robt vise versa but perfectly amiable & B. does not snub him so m. as he did & was quite good in lending his new trumpet to both in turns. We have a tremendous drumming & marching round the dining room table very mg after breakfast─

I enclose some bills &c

[23b]

Do you like Shipway's bill to be sent you─ Horace comes today to give a last look at the drains & tomorrow goes to settle at Cam─ m. the wholesomest place for him as his head had better be as full as it can of axles.

G. had a long letter from M'Lennan giving a tol. acct of himself tho' the fever has not q. left him─ His letter was such a specimen of egotism

[23bv]

about his symptoms & medicine─ but also I must say full of anxiety for his wife

yours my dear

E.D─

It is nice to think that we shall see you soon (at least I gather so)

H. is just come in from a most satisfac. talk w. T.H.F. & tho' nothing definite was said I consider it almost decisive.─ H. was charmed w. T.H.F. & it shews that the attraction must have been natural.

[24a]

Basset

 Tuesday [20 May] 1879

My dear Frank

We had a lovely day yesterday & enjoyed it so m. that it made us feel how horrid the weather has been─

Bernard had the little Nanna next door to play & tea. It excited him v. much & he began by being v. pretty behaved & giving her things; but they ended by each going their own way & taking no heed of the other.

[24av]

Bernard said at tea "She does nothing but stare" w. was quite true, while he talked incessantly─

He has had a joke w. Sara. "Ubbadubba does not like that cross" (w. she wore) so yesterday he said Ubba &c thought Ub. didn't like that coss; but now Ub. thinks he does"

We are off tomorrow at 7 o'clock─ which is all very well; but arriving at LH.P. at 11.30 is serious

F. has been very poorly but is up to his average now─

[24b]

Here is a prosperous letter from G. I am so glad Sir W. T. thinks much of his work─

Wm & Sara are actually gone on a cruise in the sellars yacht & it is so calm I think even Wm is safe. Horace came on Sat. & chaperoned Miss Ashburner to London yesterday, w. Sara was v. glad of as she feels r. lost on railroads

yours my dear old man─

B. is perfectly well but framsy about his washing & I think some slight punishment may soon be useful─ Sara stopped a cry dead

[24bc]

by saying "I can't have crying in my house" & then saying some joke to him─ I hope Weber is still there. He will be so glad to have you─

yours my dear E.D─

[25a]

Down

Wed─ [16 July] 1879

My dear Frank

Horace came back last night from York after having had trials on the Railway in the mg & loafed about & dined with Hen. on his way.

He joined Lord Sackville on the way down & went also w. T.H.F (but neglected to let T.H. know that Lord S. had applied to him to help him about the brakes, w. shews that he has not yet learnt the art of boasting)

[Cecil, Lord Sackville Arthur, 1848-1898. 5th son of 2d Marquess of Salisbury. Cambridge

friend of CD's sons and neighbour in Kent.]

[25av]

When they got to York they had many journeys up & down to Knardboro' trying the brakes in difft ways & Horace was in the van among the swells (Douglas Galton &c)

After some time they all deserted their duties & went to see the Cathedral. Altogether it was v. pleasant & T.H. cordial & pleasant; but avoided the subject─ I believe Effie wd be much pleased to have these idiotical restrictions put an end to; as she & Ida can't feel really comf. as long as they last─

We expect Mary & Bessy home

[25b]

on Friday or Sat, & then Mary & the boys will go off to London for a few days & then home ─ Today they are gone with Pearch & her cousin (Mina) to the Aquarium &c & to fill up the time with a trip or two on the river, which they boys seem to like better than any thing. I think Walter is quite remarkable for good sense & tact & B. is very fond of him, & he is more civil than he was to Robert, who I

[Mary Atkin and Bessy Darwin came on 18 July according to ED's diary.]

[25bv]

must say rather provokes snubs; but takes them with perfect good temper. B. has a good deal learnt fairness by his intercourse with them.

The schoolmaster every mg. is a good institution & they go to bed at 8 o'clock ─ so boys cd not be less trouble, considering rainy days have been so frequent. Mary D'arcy was here on Sat. a good deal knocked up & utterly unmanageable about taking care of herself; but her work [from page 1:] for the summer is over, so that she can rest now─ I cd not persuade her not to do to church tho' she was not fit for it─ Mrs Ruck must not hear any of this─

yours my dear E. D 1879

[26a]

Thursday [20 February] 1879

My dear Frank

We have a nice visit from Mrs Nash & her baby (which is very hearty & prosperous)─ I think she is very much reconciled to going to Oregon & she thinks it out of the question that Mr Nash shd ever endure to come back to his attorney's business which he so heartily dislikes.

The poor Indian widow is just come home & will be very poor. The Desboroughs

[26av]

will all settle together at Iffracombe ─ Col. Desborough was attacked on horseback by a furious bullock & they found him almost dead, but nobody saw how it happened.

Mrs Nash has brought B. a baby musical box which you grind yourself & Babba is very fond of playing on it too.

Bernard does it very handily. He has been extremely interested in the baby.

The Band of Hope magic lanthorn was a brilliant success last night & the room quite

[26b]

fall as every body came that liked. F. who is always rather desponding about Mr Nash & thinks he will ruin himself. He talks so lightly of setting up the making of beet root sugar & has sent a young man to France to "look around" & see how it is done ─ & F. thinks it requires a complete education.

We were white with snow this mg but it is beautiful now. Ellen is very agreeable & nice & I enjoy her visit.

B. is very affable to her.

Rose & Mabel & Arthur come tomorrow.

[ED's diary recorded "Mabel & Rose" 21 Feb., "arthur w" 22 Feb.]

[26bv]

No more today─ yours my dear E. D─

[27a]

Thursday [February] '79

Down Beckenham

My dear Frank

I sent a post card to Hotel du Louvre Avignon but I doubt whether you wd get it ─ Therm 43 & wind high but softish.

I found B. ready to go out yesterday P.m, saying he was going to meet Dadda. He cried a little v. pathetically when he found that cd not be. Marianne does not know what to put it in his head. He soon forgot it.

[27av]

I opened Mrs Nash's note & answered it telling her when you would be back. What shall I do about bills & business letters, open them or forward all.

I will send what I have accumulated to Algiers as safer. F. is very well & has had no bothers. A letter from Mosley m. pleased at his liking his book (w. F. thinks very clever) a young Owen of Woodhouse is going out as paid assistant w. Mr Nash.

[ED's diary recorded Francis left for Algiers on 4 February 1879. / Moseley's letter was written on 5 Feb. Moseley, Henry Nottidge, 1844-91. Zoologist. 1872-76 Naturalist on Challenger. 1877 FRS. 1879 Feb. 4 CD to M, about M's book Notes of a naturalist on the "Challenger", London, 1879, which is dedicated to CD. LL3:237.]

[27b]

We do a great deal of quiet reading & B. is our only dissipation. Hen's dinner party went off well but not very well. She thinks Lady Hooker is r. a killjoy. I shd not say that but quite an unclever woman─

Mrs Alexander sent some parcels for you to bring but I sent them back of course.

yours my dear old man

E. Darwin.

An excellent acct of Uncle Frank.

[28]

Saturday '79

My dear Frank

Here is a lovely bright day & B just gone by the window with his "take" "Don't see it" still goes on constantly & I think it is by way of making you repeat what you had told him before.

I gave all my little news to Geo, so this is only to send your letters. F. opened Crawley & I answered it. He was not sure Dr D. did not mean him─ your E.D

[29a]

DOWN, BECKENHAM, KENT

Saturday [February] 1879

My dear Frank

We are getting very near our time of starting & I think F. rather likes the thoughts of it. We go on Thursday to sleep at Eras. to be fresh for Sat mg─

B. has quite returned to his pretty gentle manners─ which shews that is his real nature. We are vexed to find that Walter's nose had gone a little wrong, tho' Marianne looked

[ED's diary recorded they "came to 6 Q.A." on 27 Feb., and they returned home on 5 March.]

[29av]

after it every night but Mary though a little more pressure on the other side wd have the right effect.

Margaret Shaen is here for a few days, & the weather has been quite tol since Wed. & I hope we may carry the Luxted field. At Orpington yesterday John observed that Mr Teesdale had not got his carriage & suggested to Margaret to offer him a lift, w. she did & had a great outflow of talk in consequence─ He told her that he had got the early post altered & now it arrives at 8.30 &

[Shaen, Margaret Josephine, 1852-?. Daughter of William S. Family friend. Photographed

ED, aged 88, in drawing room at Down House. ED2, list of illustrations. / John Skinner, CD's coachman.]

[29b]

I often wish we had not but one & got done with it.

Horace has got rooms at Cam- opposite his beloved Dew. & says that time passes quicker now he is hard at interesting work & his thermograph is going on well─

He & Laura correspond as the next best thing & he means to follow her advice in all things, as she is so m. behind the scenes. She thinks he had better do nothing for 2 m. longer but she expects that permission to write soon be given─

R. [Richard Litchfield] says that only clever people cd behave so foolish as

[26bv]

T. H- is doing; for supposing by waiting he discovers that H's health is not quite so good & that he does not like him so m. as he hoed─ what difference will it make in their feelings.

I find Bessy has also written so goodbye ─ Sir J. Paget has unearthed another life of Old Eras. a French one & F. thinks he must have it looked at & the book cannot be borrowed, so he is afraid he may ask you do it─

The little Langtons come today to lunch, & they are such solemn little souls

[frompage 1:] I am afraid that it will be r. heavy─ yours my dear─ E.D ─

G. has had a week's hard work but now is poorly again─

I have no doubt Horace or Lenny cd look up the passages in the life─

[There are no letters in this series from February 1879 to before 15 July 1882.]

[30a]

DOWN / BECKENHAM, KENT. / RAILWAY STATION / ORPINGTON. S.E.R.

Saturday July 15 1882

MD 1 36 3-22 3-16

My dear Frank

I have only B. annals to give you. Yesterday a new rage twined up dictating very long & tedious fairy stories (after the pattern of Ruskin) to Hen.)

The P.M. turned out charming─ I called on Mrs Tomkins. She told me that the poor Teesdales did not return after the funeral but went straight to Westgate (near Margate)

[30v]

Miss Tomkins told me she though that Fanny was happy & adored & looked up to Julia.

There seems to have been little suffering. The bankruptcy is in Friday's Times ─ for £7000 & assets come to £3000. I have written to Barlaston to ask for news of poor Rose. The hay was finished B. raking up remnants with Parslow.

Today (dismal downpour) he has been sitting on the stairs drawing the Foxglove─ then painting

[30b]

it in the drawing room, & running out to look at the colours. He is to go to Petley's today─ He has been reading a very instructive story of Mrs marcels of "The little coward," only she makes the mistake of calling it cowardice a little boy being frightened at finding himself in a drove of cows some of them "skittish"─ He assured me he is not afraid of Hector─ only he bothers him so ─ so he does─ following his heels exactly as if he knew B. was running away─

[30bv]

My best love to H. & Ida we miss them all sadly─ I do think Rasmus is especially affable to me─

Here is Bessy ─ I am very sorry about Mary Stewart & I am sure her active nature will make proper precaution most irksome.

Goodbye my dear Old man ─

Thank George for his letter I am very glad he did go to the Herbert Normans ─ your E.D─

[Darwin, Erasmus [III], 1881 Dec. 7-1915 Apr. 25. 1st child of Sir Horace Darwin. Unmarried. CD's grandson, the second of the two born in CD's lifetime. Director Cambridge Instrument Co. Obituary by B. Darwin, Green memories 1928, in ED1:xixvi, 1915. Born the year his great uncle Erasmus Alvey Darwin died. […] 1915 killed in action at Ypres.]

[The remaining 25 letters up to 1885 not transcribed here.]