1838-1839] House-hunting 15 



most earnestly not long, for I am impatient to see yon 

 again. It is most provoking I cannot settle down to work 

 in earnest, just at the very time I most want to do so. 

 There is the appendix of the Journal and half-a-dozen 

 things besides this unlucky number, all waiting my good 

 pleasure every night I make vows and break them in the 

 morning. I do long to be seated beside you again, in ;he 

 Library ; one can then almost feel in anticipation the happi- 

 ness to come. I have just read your letter over again for 

 the fifth time. My own dear Emma, I feel as if I had 

 been guilty of some very selfish action in obtaining such a 

 good dear wife with no sacrifice at all on my part. . . . 



diaries Darwin to Emma Wedgwood. 



[30 November, 1838], Friday Evening. 

 [After many details on house hunting and domestic affairs.] 



Powers of sentimentality forgive me for sending such a 

 letter: it surely ought to have been written on foolscap 

 paper, and closed with a wafer. I told you I should write 

 to you as if you really were my own dear, dear wife, and 

 have not I kept my word most stoutly ? My excuse must 

 be, I have seen no one for these two days: and what can 

 a man have to say, who works all morning in describing 

 hawks and owls, and then rushes out and walks in a be- 

 wildered manner up one street and down another, looking 

 out for the words " To let." I called, however, to-day on 

 the Lyells. I cannot tell you how particularly pleasant 

 and cordial Lyell's manner has been to me: I am sure he 

 will be a steady and sure friend to both of us. He told me 

 he heard from his sister (whom I know) in Scotland this 

 morning, and she says, " So Mr Darwin is going to be 

 married: I suppose he will be buried in the country, and 

 lost to geology." She little knows what a good, strict wife 

 I am going to be married to, who will send me to my 

 lessons and make me better, I trust, in every respect, as 



