280 A Century of Family Letters [CHAP.XIX 



Emma Darwin to Tier son Francis. 



[Nov., 1887.] 



I share some of your feeling of relief that what I have 

 been rather dreading is over, and that I don't believe there 

 will be anything disagreeable to go tho'. Your relief is 

 not from this sort of feeling however. I have been reading 

 the scientific letters, and in almost every one there is some 

 characteristic bit which charms one. A little mention of 

 me in a letter of [his to] Laura 1 sent me to bed with a glow 

 about my heart coming on it unexpectedly. 



Emma Darwin to Margaret Shaen. 



THE GROVE, Dec. 20, 1887. 



I like to think you look back w th such affection to 

 your visits at Down. I shall hope to have them again, 

 though with such a difference. I used always to feel it 

 pleasant that my dear one felt you completely one of the 

 family and not " company." I return [your brother] God- 

 frey's letter. It has given me deep satisfaction. I always 

 felt that there should be a very good reason for entering 

 so much into the inward and family life, and when I see 

 how the book affects one who knew him so little, it is a 

 great pleasure to me. Frank says that he has lost all 

 modesty, and I hope it is partly true. His nature is to 

 doubt and disparage everything he does. . . . 



Emma Darwin to Tier daughter Henrietta Litchfield. 



Jan. 2, 1888. 



I must quote Uncle Frank's words about the book, 

 which is the highest praise it has yet received. ' It is like 

 hearing Charles's voice and seeing the expression of his face 



again." 



1 Life and Letters of C. D., HI. 224. 



