I think children in the house keep us elderly ones much more youthful than we should be with out them. I used to find that very much with my dear boy Lawford, only they will grow up so fast. The other day he was digging tunnels with his wooden spade in the sand and now he is engineering in Ceylon, and writes to me about assisting at an operation on a poor elephant’s foot, where his part was sitting on the animal’s head whose tears were running down his cheeks!²

John³ has not been very well lately, but is better again now.

Will you remember us both most kindly to D^r Darwin and believe me dear Emma always | Your affectionate friend | Ellen Harrison