20 A Century of Family Letters [CHAP, i 



was so good a house for me, and I devoutly trust you will 

 approve of it equally. The little garden is worth its weight 

 in gold. About 8 o'clock the old lady here cooked me some 

 eggs and bacon (as I had no dinner) and with some tea I 

 felt supremely comfortable. How I wish my own dear lady 

 had been here. My room is so quiet, that the contrast to 

 Marlborough [Street] is as remarkable as it is delightful. 

 It is now near 9, and I will write no more, as I am thoroughly 

 tired in the legs, but wish you a good night, my own good 

 dear Emma, C. D. 



Tuesday morning. Once more I must thank you for 

 your letters, which I have just read. I have been busy at 

 work all morning, and have made my own room quite 

 charming, so comfortable. The only difficulty is that I 

 have not things enough ! ! to put in all the drawers and 

 corners. . . . 



I can neither write nor think about anything but 

 the house, I am in such spirits at our good fortune. 

 Erasmus & Co. used to be always talking of the immense 

 advantage of Chester Square being so near the Park. Would 

 you believe it I find by the compasses we are as near, within 

 100 yards of Regent's Park as Chester Square is to Green 

 Park. I quite agree with you that this house is far pleasanter 

 than Gordon Square. In two more days I shall be quite 

 settled, and this change from mental [to] bodily work, will 

 I do not doubt rest me, so that I trust to be able to finish 

 my Glenroy Paper and enjoy my country Holiday with a 

 clear conscience. 



Charles Darwin to Emma Wedgwood. 



Wednesday Evening, ATHEN^UM [2 Jan., 1839]. 



MY DEAR EMMA, 



After a good day's work, here am I sitting very 

 comfortably, and feeling just that degree of lassitude 

 which a man enjoys after a day's shooting terminated by 

 an excellent dinner. All my goods are in their proper 

 places, and one of the front attics (henceforward to be 



