3O A Century of Family Letters L CHAP - n 



The piano mentioned above was her father's present to 

 her. I remember it well in its handsome mahogany case ; 

 it kept its beauty of tone longer than any later piano. 

 For the sake of quiet they lived, grand piano and all, in 

 the smallish back room looking on the garden, which 

 smoky though it was, was a great boon to their country 

 souls. 



Mrs Josiah Wedgwood to her daughter Emma Darwin. 



MAER, February 4 [1839]. 



A thousand thanks to you, dearest Emma, for your de- 

 lightful letter which from the cheerful happy tone of it 

 drew tears of pleasure from my old eyes. I am truly 

 thankful to find you so happy, and still more so that you 

 are sensible of it, and I pray heaven that this may only be 

 the beginning of a life full of peace and tranquillity. My 

 affection for Charles is much increased by considering him 

 as the author of all your comfort, and I enjoy the thoughts 

 of your tasty curtains and your arm-chairs, hoping your 

 Piano is by this time added to them. Mr Stevens is now 

 below, strumming away upon our old affair, and I hope the 

 girls have told him that you like the one he has fixed upon 

 for you. . . . 



I have had excellent nights, and have escaped my morn- 

 ing sicknesses for a good many days. These are among my 

 present blessings for which I am very thankful. I can 

 write no more except tender love to Charles and to the 

 Hensleighs and thanks for your letter to Elizabeth. I hope 

 to have another happy letter from you soon. God bless 

 you, my ever dear, you will have no difficulty in believing 

 me your affectionate " Mum," E WBDGWOOD> 



Elizabeth Wedgwood to her sister Emma Darwin. 



MAEK, Monday Night, February 4 [1839]. 

 MY DEAREST EMMA, 



I can hardly tell you how your affectionate ex- 

 pressions go to my heart. I have felt them too sacred 

 to read them to anybody but Charlotte, and only part to 



