[1]

Down, Tuesday [date added later: 1866 [2 October?]

Dearest George

Many thanks for your capital letter just received by me on my return from High Elms where I've been spending the night.

Rather a funny little jaunt. Lady L. & I going up to the bank to dine & then going on with Sir John to the London Institution (now I daresay

[1v]

you are so ignorant you don't know that that is in Finsbury Circus) to hear Wallace lecture on the Malay Islands.

It was rather amusing. I know precious little about them & they have various strange customs – amongst others trying their new creases (a deadly weapon) on any one who may chance to come by – when the bystander calmly examine the wound

[2]

in order to see whether it is a good weapon by the cleanness & sharpness of the cut. […]

[2v]

do take the trouble to repeat […]

[3]

or something to help John –

[3v]

[…] Papa has not been quite so well these last few days & poor Mama has been rather bad with headaches. It is

[4]

such a lovely day I feel it to be a sin & a shame to be in – you don't say much about the storm – Numbers of the trees are smashed in the High Elms. Goodbye dear George

yours ever

H.E.D.

P.S. you must go into mourning pew – cry but it is quite necessary – also Papa is very glad

[4v]

you are going into Debating Club

Cresy said it wd be very good thing for engineer to have a little practice in public speaking.