1846] Bessy's Death 101 



no public schools to cool and harden them as we have ? 

 They are of our blood and family, I do not see why they 

 should have so much more sensibility, such quicker sym- 

 pathies, such readier affections, unless it is that our odious 

 schools mar us. 



Emma never saw her mother again. She died on the 

 31st March, 1846. Elizabeth wrote to her sister Emma: 

 ' Oh how thankful I am that her death was so gentle ! 

 In the evening I heard her saying as I had done before, 

 ' Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.' For 

 her own sake no one could wish her half- extinguished life 

 to be prolonged. For us it was still a happiness to be able 

 to look on that sweet countenance, and see a faint gleam 

 now and then of the purest and most benevolent soul that 

 ever shone in any face." 



Fanny Allen to Sarah Wedgwood (sister of 

 Josiah Wedgwood of Maer). 



PENALLY, April 6th [1846]. 



. . . Fifteen years ago, what grief we should have felt 

 at this event ! ever since then we have had a gentle wean- 

 ing, and dear Bessy's life, though deprived of enjoyment 

 was, heaven be praised ! one of little suffering ! What a 

 life of kindness I have to be grateful for, when I think of 

 Jos and Bessy's affection and conduct to us ! Many, many 

 attentions and kindness that had almost slipped from my 

 memory now rise up before me vividly, with the sweet and 

 affectionate accompanying manner and look. Among the 

 many things that I have to be grateful for through life, the 

 greatest is our union to your family. Bessy's character was 

 perfected by Jos, every generous and affectionate feeling 

 put in action by him. And then they have left us such 

 children, taught by them, that will bless us, and all around 

 them, with the like tenderness and love. I mention now 

 only Jos, but I gratefully remember every one of you it 

 has been a long stream of kindness from each of you. . . . 



