244 A Century of Family Letters [CHAP, xvn 



rope to hang themselves. She said [her father] Sir John 

 Lubbock has had an unusual quantity of sleep, as most of 

 the members disliked much more getting up early than 

 sitting up late, and so he took that part of the duty on 

 condition of being let off early at night. It was all sys- 

 tematically arranged. ... I am going down presently in 

 the Bath-chair to see B., who has been in bed for a week 

 without letting us know. You know what my feelings 

 must be about the poor old man, but I am afraid he will 

 recover. 



Hurrah for Mr Fegan ! Mrs Evans attended a prayer 

 meeting in which old M. made " as nice a prayer as ever 

 you heard in your life." 



The sentence about B. alludes to the fact that she was 

 very free in wishing people to die, and sometimes used to 

 say that she believed her wishes were effective. ' Old M.' ! 

 was a notable old drunkard in the village of Down, con- 

 verted by Mr Fegan. 



Feb. 11th, 1881. 



Yesterday evening a messenger came to say that old 

 Mrs Lyne had died suddenly. Mrs Evans said, " I don't 

 like to tell Missis for fear it should upset her." She little 

 knew my feelings. She is the dirty old woman, and I wish 

 I had looked after her sooner, not by way of keeping her 

 alive though. 



Charles Darwin to his son George in Madeira. 



4, BRYANSTON STREET, Sunday, Feb. 27 [1881], 



MY DEAR GEORGE, 



We came here on Thursday and have seen lots of 

 people, but there is nothing especial to tell. . . . Thanks for 

 looking out for worm-castings. It is hopeless where the 

 soil is dry. Perhaps you may see some whenever you go 

 into the interior. We came up at this particular time that 

 I might attend Burdon Sanderson's Lecture at the Royal 



