1839] The Blessings of Poverty 37 



Emma is as Iiappy as possible, as she has always been- 

 there never was a person born under a happier star than 

 she, her feelings are the most healthful possible; joy and 

 sorrow are felt by her in their due proportions, nothing 

 robs her of the enjoyment that happy circumstances would 

 naturally give. Her account of her life with Charles Darwin 

 and in her new menage is very pleasant. . . . 



I have been long convinced that it is for the happiness 

 of children that they should not have amusements or 

 pleasures too readily or they become none; a healthful 

 poverty is the atmosphere of both a good education and 

 happiness for children. Two of the happiest families I 

 know aie those whose amusements could not be purchased 

 if they would there is a curse on all that is bought in that 

 way. My two examples enjoyed more real pleasure than 

 those whom I knew had what they coveted immediately: 

 they were always devouring the amusements of the age in 

 advance, and at 16 and 17 they were ennuied and blase. I 

 have heard many people regret [the want of] riches for their 

 children's sake, when I felt the conviction that a blessing 

 attended the want. You are a very happy mother, and I 

 have no doubt you are a more affectionate mother by being 

 from circumstances brought in closer contact with your 

 children; and they again must gain immensely by this, so 

 whatever your loss is, they have gained, I am convinced, 

 by your fall in fortune. 1 



I did not see Sydney Smith while I was in town, so I 

 must have expressed myself ill, but what pleased me as a 

 token of his remembrance, was receiving an affectionate 

 little note from him, hearing I was at the Aldersons. You 

 have seen his little pamphlet against the ballot, he says 

 everything that can be said against it, but I am not of his 

 opinion, and he does not touch the moral part of it. If you 

 give a political right to poor people you should secure that 



1 Mr Marsh's father was the sleeping and senior partner in the 

 banking house of Marsh, Sibbald and Co. This Bank was ruined 

 by the managing partner, Fauntleroy, the famous forger. He was 

 tried for his misdeeds, and hung in 1824. Mr Marsh senior resigned 

 every penny lie possessed to meet the liabilities of the Bank 



