140 A Century of Family Letters [CHAP, x 



I never saw her once yield to her feelings as long as self- 

 restraint and exertion were of any use ; her judgment and 

 good sense never failed: her kindness, her devotion to our 

 poor child could hardly have been exceeded by that of a 

 mother. 



Such conduct will, I trust, hereafter be in some degree 

 rewarded by the satisfaction your daughter must ever feel 

 when she looks back at her exertions to save and comfort 

 our poor dear dying child. . . . 



Horace Darwin was born on 13th May. Fanny Allen 

 wrote to Elizabeth, who was at Down (May 19th, 1851): 

 " We are disappointed at your account of dear Emma. I 

 looked forward with so much hope to this time for the heal- 

 ing influence to her sorrow. However, we must have patience 

 and wait." 



