250 A Century of Family Letters [CHAP, xvn 



schools very much, and no doubt there are fewer dis- 

 agreeables now. I horrified F. the other day by saying 

 that I thought the French plan of having supervision in 

 the dormitories was very good. What can boys do better 

 at night than hold their tongues and go to sleep. It is no 

 advantage that they should have uproarious games, and if 

 bullying takes place it is sure to be at that time. G. was 

 very miserable as a little boy, till they got that room to 

 themselves (not to mention all the bad talk). 



Erasmus, the eldest child of Horace Darwin, was born on 

 December 7th, 1881. 



Emma Darwin to Horace and Ida Danvin. 



Sat. [DOWN, Dec. 10, 1881]. 



MY DEAREST IDA AND HORACE, 



This is only to be the shortest line to say how delight- 

 ful it is and has been at all odd times ever since that blessed 

 Thursday letter to think of you with little Eras, by your 

 side. In the night it has been my first and last thought. 

 Now I shall prose to Hen., and she may read you what she 



likes. 



Your loving mother, 



E. D. 



Emma Darwin to her daughter Henrietta Litch field. 



Friday Morning [LONDON, Dec., 1881]. 



I went this morning early to Dr Clark. He is resolved 

 to come and see F., for his own pleasure, I think. I told 

 him about the pulse, and he said that shewed that there 

 was some derangement of the heart, but he did not take a 

 serious view of it. He spoke affectionately of George, 

 and said he felt confident he was attaining rather a higher 

 standard of health, and of his wonderful energy and in- 

 dustry, and that he thought his mind in his line was equal 

 to his father's. My best love to H. and Ida. I should have 

 liked to see her with her baby before it gets the least stale. 



