1882-1884] Francis Darwin s Marriage 263 



DOWN, Sept. Wth, 1883. 



Yesterday such a lovely day, every leaf shining. 

 Bernard spent almost all day on his tricycle, going to the 

 end of the kitchen garden and back whilst Frank timed 

 him with his watch. He is now gone out alone, and I am 

 going to time him presently. 



Old women are turning up, so good-bye, my dear. 



This autumn they were to move straight to the Grove, 

 and of course there was much settling and arranging, which 

 however she took very calmly, as her custom was. She 

 was more interested in landscape gardening than furnish- 

 ing, and the cutting down of the trees was entirely decided 

 by her. She wrote: " I attended the downfall of the great 

 elm over the lodge and it really was a grand sight, especially 

 when it took the matter into its own hands and resolved to 

 crush a good-sized sycamore, instead of going the way they 

 were pulling." 



Francis Darwin after his marriage was planning to build a 

 house on part of the Grove fields. This would of course 

 enable my mother to see Bernard almost as often as if he 

 still lived with her. 



Emma Darwin to her son Francis. 



DEAR FRANK, 



I can always write pros and cons easier than speak 

 them; and I want you and Ellen to consider whether it is 

 not rash of you to take so irrevocable a step as to begin 

 your house at once whether it would not be wiser to wait 

 six months and see what your occupation at Cambridge would 

 eventually be, and whether if something permanent was with- 

 in your power elsewhere you had not better hold yourself 

 loose for a time. There is another point to be considered, 

 viz., the relations between Ellen and Bernard; and I think 

 everything else, and above all the pleasure which Bessy 

 and I should have in the constant running in and out of 

 Bernard, ought to give way to the best way of Ellen's 

 obtaining his affection and obedience, and also the feeling 

 that your house should be his real home. ... I don't fear 



