2O4 A Century of Family Letters [CHAP, xiv 



It is quite refreshing to think of you and Hope, immersed 

 in Geometry and indifferent to the cares of poor, weak 

 mortals. E. A. D. 



In June, 1871, I became engaged to Mr. R. B. Litchfield. 



Emma Darwin to her sister Elizabeth Wedgwood. 



HAREDENE, ALBUKY, GUILDFORD, Sunday [July, 1871]. 



We were thankful to have Henrietta as courier for the 

 last time, as Charles was so giddy and bad at Croydon I 

 could not leave him. When we got out at Gomshall, 

 Esther, who was in another carriage with the kittens, was 

 not forthcoming, as her part of the train had been detached 

 at Red Hill and she had gone off into space. But she 

 managed well, got out at Tunbridge, and she and the kittens 

 appeared about 6 o'clock very jolly, as if they had done a 

 fine thing. 



I was married on the 31st August, and the following 

 letters are to me on my wedding tour : 



Charles Darwin to his daughter Henrietta Litchfield. 



MY DEAREST ETTY, DOWN, Sept. 4, 1871. 



I must write to say how much your nice and affec- 

 tionate letter from Dover has pleased me. From your earliest 

 years you have given me so much pleasure and happiness 

 that you well deserve all the happiness that is possible in 

 return; and I do believe that you are in the right way for 

 obtaining it. I was a favourite of yours before the time 

 when you can remember. How well I can call to mind 

 how proud I was when at Shrewsbury, after an absence of 

 a week or fortnight, you would come and sit on my knee, 

 and there you sat for a long time, looking as solemn as a 

 little judge. Well, it is an awful and astounding fact that 

 you are married; and I shall miss you sadly. But there 

 is no help for that, and I have had my day and a happy 



