1872-1876] Leonard in New Zealand 217 



and movings of furniture. Spiritualism made but little 

 effect on my mother's mind, and she maintained an attitude 

 of neither belief nor unbelief. 



This summer there was a second marriage in the family. 

 My third brother, Francis, married Amy, daughter of Mr 

 Lawrence Ruck, of Pantlludw. Frank had been educated 

 as a doctor, but did not wish to practise, and took up 

 botany. He was the only one of my father's children with a 

 strong taste for natural history. He now became my father's 

 secretary, and he and his wife came to live at Down. 



Leonard, now in the Royal Engineers, went to New Zea- 

 land to observe the Transit of Venus. 



Fanny Allen to her niece Emma Darwin. 



DEAREST EMMA, June 30 ^ 1874 - 



Your boy starts on his star-gazing expedition with 

 excellent weather. November is not far off and he may 

 be back almost before Mrs Evans's 1 tears are dried. 

 Eliz th says in her letter that she is " going up in her own 

 carriage." She is wise if she indulges herself in this luxury. 

 The Spirits will not do her any harm. She has an unbe- 

 lieving nature, and say what they will, they are but jugglers 

 after all. Spirits do not meddle with matter, and when 

 furniture or heavy bodies are moved, it is matter that 

 moves them. I am writing shockingly ill the day is dark 

 and I do not see well, so good-bye, my dear one, 



Ever yours, 



FRAS. ALLEN. 



.Emma Darwin to her son Leonard. 



MY DEAR LEONARD, ***** m > 1874 ' _ 



I have been so long thinking how disagreeable it 



would be to see you go, that when I came to the point and 



saw you so comfortable and composed, I found I did not 



mind it near so much as I expected; indeed seeing Mrs 



1 Leonard's old nurse. 



