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Show moreEmma requests Thomas Carlyle and Miss Aitken to come for lunch. Transcription: "Sep. 1875 Thursday Dear Mr Carlyle Mr Darwin + I are very glad to hear that you will be for some time in this neighbourhood. I wish we could persuade you + Miss [Aitken] to come + take luncheon with us at one o'clock tomorrow or Saturday. It would be a great pleasure to Mr Darwin to see you. I meant to have called on Miss [Aitken] this week but I am afraid I shall not be able to manage it, but I hope she will excuse this want of ceremony + come + see us first. I do not know whether you would like a long walk; but the way to Sown is somewhat shortened by coming through Holwood Park + we are a mile + a quarter from this end of the park. I suppose the distance would be rather more than 2 1/2 miles or probably 3 miles. With Mr Darwin's very kind regards + hopes that we may have the pleasure of seeing you believe me very truly yours Emma Darwin P.S. If I have mentioned too early a day I hope you will come any day next week except Tuesday when we have an engagement." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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Show moreEmma sends news of the parish, specifically that Mr. Ffinden who is generally disliked, may be leaving. She also speaks of her son, Frank, and his wife. Emma also mentions Lady Lubbock's health. Transcription: "Oct 12 - 74 my dear Mr Innes It is some time since I have sent you any parish news; + as we hear a rumour of an important change, I will give you the first information of it; though I have not much hopes that it will prove true. It is said that on the death of Mr [Ffinden]'s uncle Mr Sketchley, vicar of [Derrford], which has just taken place, his son is to come here + Mr [Ffinden] to take the [Derrford] living. This would certainly be a great blessing to this place, as Mr [Ffinden] has no influence here + excited general dislike. The chapel is so crowded that it has been enlarged. I do not mention this as an evil from my point of view, but only as a proof of Mr Ff's unpopularity. You will not think me an impartial person perhaps as he cuts every member of our family when we meet; but as I said before the scheme of exchange sounds most improbable. Frank + his wife are settled in your old house + like the place very much. They have bought up old carved chests + cabinets in wales,(her native country) + have made the rooms look very well, + the garden is certainly beyond the average in prettiness + snugness. Frank helps his father + I hope will save him a good deal; but I am afraid it will always be against Mr Darwin's nature to sit idle + rest himself. I am afraid Lady Lubbock's health is failing in a way to cause great uneasiness, though we cannot hear of any specific disorder. Some people are afraid that the Railway accident some years ago has left some mischief which has been in abeyance hitherto. Pray give my kind love to Mrs Innes - I hope she + you will come + see us again, + with Charles' very kind regards yours very sincerely Emma Darwin P.S. I obeyed your directions about Aquilegia, but it has not come up, neither your seed, nor some other of the same kind. The gardener [] hopes still that it will appear in the spring. The Rev. J Brodie Innes Milton Brodie Torres N.B" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England. Envelope included.
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Show moreEmma talks of her family and Parslow and Mrs. Frederick Lubbock and Mr. Gladstone. Transcription: "July 10 1890 Down, Farnborough, Kent. My dear Mr Innes Brodie [] are settled here again for the summer months- This change always brings old times more vividly to my mind + makes me wish to have news of you + my dear Mrs Brodie- My days pass very smoothly + happily, + the indifferent health of some of my children (chiefly Henrietta, George + Horace) is my only anxiety. Your old friends here are not few-[Parslow] + his daughter-in-law + 3 children keep house here in the wenter. He is feeble, but creeps along as I do myself with care + quiet. Sir John Lubbock is very little at High Elms as his young wife finds it dull + does not like it. Mrs Frederick Lubbock is very kind + helpful to the poor + sick, + I hope she will be one of the school committee, as a personal interest is much wanted in the school- I care much about politics + I may boast that I read the whole of the Commission I have been sorry to pull down Mr Gladstone from a high place in my opinion; but I cannot help feeling that he has lost all sense of truth as well as justice. We had a Liberal [ran] meeting in the village which gave me the excuse of sowing a few Unionist seeds-+ I send you a leaflet which is concise + good(Sir J. Lubbock's speech) We are having a wet [May] harvest (the most [] of seasons) + a good deal of it has been spoilt. I have 8 grandchildren George-3- Frank-2- Horace-3- Now if you are good you will tell me all about Mrs Brodie, yourself + your son + his family. + with my kind love to her believe me yours most sincerely E. Darwin My remaining daughter Bessie is my constant companion + is the strong one of the family, + I have a nice little dog + I may boast that I rule him a good deal, + that he does not tyrannize much over me- I believe I have but your name in the wrong order but I am sure you will excuse it- It was stupid of me as I always think of you by your old name" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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Show moreA note from Emma Darwin thanking Innes' kind thoughts on the death of her husband. She talks further about Darwin's death. Transcription: "Ap 27 1882 My dear Mr Innes Your heartfelt words were a comfort + pleasure to me - I hope you made one of the many loving hearts around his grave yesterday - I am afraid it wd have been too trying for my dear Mrs Innes - I am not surprised that you who knew him so well saw the beauty of his character, so simple + open; but it is a constant happiness to me to see the effect of it on those who hardly knew him personally. You know how fond he was of you - He often spoke with pleasure of your last two visits especially the one in which Mrs Innes was able to come with you- Pray give her my affectionate love- I was not unprepared, as some months ago I felt our secure happiness (+ what happiness it was I only now seem thoroughly to realize) was utterly shaken - He became very feeble in body; but exactly the same in mind, + if possible, more tenderly regardful of those around him- The last hours were very suffering but not very long I am thankful to remember. With affectionate regard to you both yours E. Darwin Pray remember me most kindly to your son-"
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Show moreEmma writes to Innes of church matters. There was a controversy between Reverend Ffinden and the congregation concerning how the church service should be conducted. Transcription: "Tuesday Ap. 29. Dear Mr Innes Church matters were going so badly last week that I would not write until I could see what another Sunday would produce- Mr [Ffinden] performed the service in the same way on the second Sunday + we were all very angry, especially Mr Allen the Churchwarden, who had escorted himself almost as much as Mr [Ffinden] himself about the repairs, + had been so constantly with him that he felt that Mr Ff. had concealed his intentions purposely. So he "had it out" with Mr Ff. + spoke his mind even more freely than you did I believe, + the result is that last Sun- -day he reverted to the old ways, with the exception of reading the Litany with his back to us, (+ that I think we may as well not object to) + of singing the Psalms instead of reading them. It is a great pity that he did not take your advice, as now it will be thought to be Mr Allen's doing. In your plan Mr Ff. wd have done it with dignity; however I trust we shall be at peace now. Pray give my love to Mrs Innes-we look back on our pleasant little sight of her + you- The poor people were much gratified too at having seen you both-Believe me very sincerely yours Emma Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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Show moreLetter brings news from the village of Downe and mentions Darwin's experiments, probably on the movement of plants. Emma writes about some of the small talk in the village and local residents, including the Teesdales and the Nashes and Mr. Thompson, as well as her sons, Leonard and George, and of Charles Darwin. Transcription: "Down Beckenham Dec 24- Dear Mr Innes I have undertaken to answer your kind letter + to give you all the news I can. My husband is much pleased that you were interested in his book. The experiments are so minutely described that he thinks some skipping is very necessary for most of his books. The [Leesdales] have been settled for 2 or 3 months + have furnished Down Hall most comfortably + sumptuously. They seem to be very agreeable people with pretty + cultivated daughters. (In order to show how severe our weather has been I may mention that Mr [Leesdale] went to Orpington for 10 days on a sledge). The great event last week was the opening of a Reading Room, when Mr Nash gave a good supper to whoever chose to come + I was not surprised to hear that he had 90 guests. They have hired George Wood's old house for the purpose + begin the world with 45 members. Of course they will not nearly pay their way; which one would have preferred. We have also a band of Hope under Mrs Nash's superintendence which is of course pros- perous at present, while the children are young + have no temptation; but I have some hopes that the effect may remain with some, especially of the girls, after they are grown up. Both these undertakings are thorns in Mr [Ffinden]'s side + he has not been content with holding aloof from them; but has used all his influence to prevent their succeeding. Mr Darwin is [filter] well + hard at work with his secretary (Frank) Leonard is stationed at Malta with the engineers, + George who has been an invalid for some years in going to join him there in a week's time. Will you give my kind love to Mrs Innes + tell her I hope we shall see you + her when you come south as I am glad to hear you are intending, + with my kind remembrances to your son + with every good wish to your trio, very truly yours Emma Darwin P.S. As a proof that nobody need despair I will tell you that Mr Horsman has a [curacy??] in Kent, + is rash enough to talk of his "friends the Lubbocks". I have omitted poor Mr Thompson, whose fate is very melancholy. He is said to be slowly affected by the creeping palsy, which is quite a hopeless malady. C. desires me to say that both your facts are quite new to him + surprise him much." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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Show moreLetter talks about progress made in the restoration of the church at Down. Small talk about some of the families in Down. Emma writes that they are in mourning for Mrs. Henry Wedgwood. Transcription: "Down Beckenham Thursday Dear Mr Innes I should have answered your letter at once, but I have been laid up for a few days. The church seems to be making fair progress. The water pipes are finished + all the wood work (open news or benches) ready to be put up as soon as the plaistering is finished. The [] is to have sidelong beaches + the altar to be railed off all across. Mr Ff. has employed a regular architect + builder under him, but no committee. The parish has been all at peace since an alarming strike took place among the school girls about sweeping the school. We did not give way + some of little geese lost their school feast in consequence. But I believe it was entirely the mother's folly. More little Whiteheads are continuously appearing in the world, + as if she had not enough by producing them one at a time, Mrs Stephen W has just had twins, her 9th + 10th_ Every body likes Mrs Ff. + she is very kind + active about the school. She is very shy and reserved however, + I doubt whether I shall ever penetrate far beneath the surface, which is all very nice + tasteful. I expect that you will be entertained by the "Expression"- Mr Darwin was very doubtful whether the public wd care about it, but it has been favourably noticed + sold well- We are in mourning for Mrs Henry Wedgwood a sad break up for my brother, who is old. Charles is tolerably well + deserves to be most kindly remembered to you. I think [Parslow] is one of the great institutions of Down. We have been afraid that he wd be obliged to give up service owing to a persistent lameness, but after some months rest he is quite well again. Mr Smith of Down Court is building a good house nearly on the site of Down Hall. It is a pity he did not push it further into the field. Mr J. Smith has been ill for a long time + always looks fearfully ill. We have some of the "boys" constantly coming from London. George's health has failed very much for a year + he finds it difficult to continue his law-reading The excellent Dowager, Lady Lubbock is, I am afraid, very unwell in London. When I saw her this summer she was as warm hearted + sympathetic as in old days I hope the rain is at last over + that you will enjoy rambling + shooting with your son who must find the change delightful after London. + with my kind love to Mrs Innes believe me yours very truly E. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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Show moreEmma sends a thank you note for some roots (B. Columbine) that Innes sent. Emma adds that she and Charles would be happy to see Innes' son whenever he wishes to come for a visit. Transcription: "Oct 28 - 1874 Dear Mr Innes I was just writing to thank you for a small box which came by post full of roots (I presume B. Columbine) when I received your letter saying that your friend was also going to be so kind as to send some. You are very kind to take so muc trouble, + shall not be satisfied if I do not succeed in making them flourish. I have been laid up for a few days, or I should have written at once to say how very glad we should be to see your son whenever he can spare the time to come + see us, + I hope he will fix his day before long. We are quite sure to have a bed at his disposal whether for a Sunday or any other day. I would write to him straight if I knew his address. George the other day told us of a very curious state of things with respect to Old Mr Sketchley's living of [Derrford Gravesend] (2.) The patron sold the [advowson] some yrs ago for 1000[pounds] - forgot that fact, + when mr Sk. was 80 sold it again for 2000-So there is great confusion- but not the least chance of Mr Ff. stepping into it. Pray give my kind love to Mrs B. Innes + believe me very sincerely yours E. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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Show moreLetter thanking Innes for seeds sent to Emma from Innes. Transcription: "Dear Mr Innes Only one like to thanks you for your very kind + pleasant letter, + for sending me more seeds; but you must not trouble yourself about the roots. I must join with Charles in emphatically refusing to class you with respect to unpopularity with some of your successors. Even those who had a pleasure in opposing you had always the undercurrent of feeling that you were a thorough gentleman + might always be trusted to do a kindness, + I am sure you inspired strong attach- -ment in the really poor. Everybody liked Mr Powell + regrets him. I really believe that Mrs Ff's extraordinary want of common civility has excited more dislike than many a worse quality would have done. I am grieved to here of the death of Mrs Swan to whom Mrs Innes was so much attached. very sincerely yours Emma Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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Show moreEmma talks about her family and the doings of some of the local people. Transcription: "Sep 3 1891 Down, Farnborough, Kent. My dear Mr Brodie Innes I received a pleasant reminder of you in the shape of the paper containing the very curious account of the courageous owl- I suppose her pugnaceous instinct was much increased owing to the nest being so much exposed- I keep well + take my daily drive in the "sand walk in a Bath chair Bessy desires her kind love to Mrs I. yourself I believe you in Scotland have not had so dismal a summer as we have here- Bessy + I have however had a pleasant + cheerful time with relays of sons + grand children- Just now we have Frank + Bernard who is a tall boy with his voice breaking which makes me feel very old. Frank's wife is out of health + she + the little girl are going to [pay] a second winter at St. [Morith?], which suited her so well before. Things are a good deal changed here. The lower house is still empty, to the great loss of the village, as Mrs Schroter was so kind to the sich people- Mrs Frederick Lubbock + Mrs Sutherland are also very kind- Parslow creeps on looking rather shrunk + feeble; but quite equal to taking care of the house while we are away. Henrietta is a good deal better than she has been for some years + we are expecting her + her husband before long- I shall be very grateful for a letter from you or Mrs Innes, to whom I hope you will give my kind love- I hope you can give me a pretty good account of her + of your son + his family. Believe me dear Mr Innes yours very sincerely E. Darwin" Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
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Show moreIn the letter, Emma thanks Innes for the seeds he has sent her. Talks about Charles and her sons, Leonard who is going to New Zealand for a year, and Frank who has become Charles' permanent secretary. Transcription: "Down beckenham June 24 My dear Mr Innes It was very kind of you to send me the seeds + as it happens I had fallen in love with Aquilegia Brodii + never [realised??] it. I hope we shall catch a sight of your son, + I have sent to Mrs Palmer to ask him to come + have luncheon with us. I am sure he will give you a good report of the Church. It is very handsome + the subdued light of the painted window very harmonious + agreeable. Mr Darwin desires his kindest regards to you + Mrs B. Innes. He is very busy over plants just not, + Frank is installed as his permanent Sec. + helper. He is to be married in a month + live at your old house, + he will be most useful to his father as he has very much the same tastes, Leonard starts tomorrow to Plymouth to join the Venus transit ex. to new Zealand. He will only be away a year; but I feel rather too old to like even that absence. We have some heavy showers today, which are a great blessing, in spite of the hay being out. There has been a great want of water. With my kind love to Mrs Innes believe me very sincerely yours Emma Darwin P.S. I shall follow your directions about the seeds." Letter, signed by sender. Sent from Down House, near Beckenham, Kent, England.
The Robert M. Stecher Collection of Charles Darwin Books and Manuscripts
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