Emma 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 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 Show less
