1839] My Mother's Character 



unkindness in these little outbursts; and somehow the super- 

 ficial contrast with her real nature, her essential tolerance 

 and undemanding unselfishness, made this impatience 

 characteristic and entertaining. She was also impatient 

 of tedium in books and in seeing sights. I remember her 

 saying in fun that she could see a cathedral in five 

 minutes. 



Another side of this impatience was the fact that she was 

 a little inclined to jump to conclusions, and did not always 

 thoroughly weigh all sides of a question. Also it was an 

 analogous quality that made her courage, of which she had 

 plenty, sometimes degenerate into rashness. 



Nothing was ever a trouble or a burden to her, and she 

 never made much of difficulties. It was remarkable how she 

 infused this spirit into the household and made the servants 

 ready to co-operate with her, often even at great inconveni- 

 ence to themselves. She had a delightfully ready and 

 thoughtful generosity. Her kindness and helpfulness were 

 fountains that never ran dry, and if only a little alleviation 

 of any trouble was possible, she always did that little, instead 

 of thinking, as one is often tempted to do, that it is not 

 worth while. She was very sensitive, although her reserved 

 nature did not always let her show what she was feel- 

 ing. She told me once that she was troubled in the night 

 by remembering instances where she thought she had failed 

 in courtesy to someone. I have often thought over this 

 with wonder, as I can never remember any tiling in her 

 behaviour but perfect tact and consideration for the feelings 

 of others. 



She had no sympathy with any sentimentality or over- 

 exuberance of expression. Simplicity, even bareness of 

 manner, was more to her taste. But she rejoiced in the 

 expressions of my father's love, though such expressions 

 would have been impossible to her self-contained nature. 

 There was about her a certain inability to cope with 

 strangers, which was marked in the whole Wedgwood 

 group, notably in her sister Charlotte, but appearing more 

 or less in all. The warm expressiveness of the Aliens and 

 Darwins thawed the silence and reserve of the Wedgwoods, 

 whilst they leant on the Wedgwoods' sincerity and strong 

 common-sense. Their natures were complementary and 

 thus their many ties of affection were founded on an enduring 

 need. 



My mother's calm strength made her the most restful 

 person to be with I ever knew. To the very last it was 



