i88 A Century of Family Letters [CHAP, xm 



such energy, perseverance and talent as yours would be 

 sure to succeed; but I never expected such brilliant success 

 as this. Again and again I congratulate you. But you 

 have made my hand tremble so I can hardly write. The 

 telegraph came here at eleven. We have written to W. 

 and the boys. 



God bless you, my dear old fellow may your life so 



continue. 



Your affectionate Father, 



CH. DARWIN. 



Emma Darwin to her daughter Henrietta. 



DOWN, Sunday [January, 1868]. 



We had a pleasant interlude yesterday in the appearance 

 of Leo and Horace from school. George's success made a 

 tremendous stir at Clapham. 1 Wrigley had never been 

 seen in such a state. He gave the fact out from the plat- 

 form as if he was going to cry, and gave a half-holiday and 

 sent them all to the Crystal Palace. Leo however staid at 

 home at his work. . . . When the boys heard about G. in 

 the 1st class room they had a regular saturnalia, and played 

 at football for some time to the great danger of the windows 

 and pictures. 



Then the new table came, and it is very lovely, but I 

 foresee that the scratches on it will embitter my life. 



In 1868, the month of March was spent in London, at 

 Elizabeth Wedgwood's house, No. 4, Chester Place. My 

 father was fairly well, and my mother heard some music 

 and went to a play or two. 



Emma Darwin to her sister Elizabeth Wedgwood. 

 MY DEAR ELIZ., DOWN, Thursday [Ap. 2, 1868]. 



I came home yesterday with Charles alone. I en- 

 joyed the quiet and poking about, and the cat's welcome 



1 The school where all my brothers except William were educated, 

 first under Mr Pritchard and latterly Dr Wrigley. Leonard was 

 working for the entrance examination at Woolwich. 



