1853-1859] Aunt Sarah's Death 161 



an excellent ballet-mistress and was more occupied with the 

 arrangement of the whole thing than with softer and tenderer 

 feelings. I did not intend to go to this wedding, being out 

 of the way at my age, but the Baron walked down a few 

 evenings ago to hope I would attend, so that it was impera- 

 tive, and I looked up a bonnet of Fanny's that would do, 

 and a velvet mantle of Effie's, and I did very respectably. 



Sarah Wedgwood, the last survivor of the children of 

 Josiah Wedgwood of Etruria, died at Down on the 6th No- 

 vember, 1856, aged 80. Forty or more years ago, she had 

 spoken of the then little Emma Wedgwood as having the 

 first place in her affection for children, and her love con- 

 tinued. My mother was beautifully faithful to her, but I 

 think the rigidity of her aunt Sarah's character prevented 

 ease of intercourse and therefore strong affection on my 

 mother's part, although there was much to admire and 

 respect in her. 



Charles Darwin to his sons William and George. 



DOWN, Thursday 13th [Nov., 1856]. 



MY DEAR WILLY AND GEORGY, 



I have thought that you would like to hear about 

 poor Aunt Sarah's funeral. Aunt Elizabeth and Uncles 

 Jos, Harry, Frank, Hensleigh, and Allen all attended, so 

 that the house was quite full. The funeral was at 3 o'clock, 

 and Mr Lewis managed it all. We walked down to Petleys, 

 and there put on black cloaks and crape to our hats, and 

 followed the [coffin], which was carried by six men ; another 

 six men changing half way. At the Church door Mr Innes 

 came out to meet the coffin. Then it was carried into the 

 Church and a short service was read. Then we all went out, 

 and stood uncovered round the grave whilst the coffin was 

 lowered, and then Mr Innes finished the service, but he did 

 not read this very impressive service well. Hemmings, 

 Mrs Morrey and Martha attended and seemed to cry a good 

 deal. Then we all marched back to the house, Mr Lewis 

 and his two sons carrying a sort of black standards before 

 us; and we then went into the house and read Aunt Sarah's 



