184 A Century of Family Letters [CHAP, xm 



Fanny Allen to her niece Elizabeth Wedgwood. 



Feb. 9, 1866. 



Yours and Fanny's letters on Tuesday brought the 

 intelligence that I expected of the close of poor Cath.'s 

 life. It has saddened some hours of this week to me, 

 and made me think over her character, which was a very 

 high one, and her life was an abortive one with her high 

 capacities. 



I remember her father used to joke about Cath.'s " great 

 soul "; what he spoke in jest she had in earnest, but some- 

 how it failed to work out her capabilities either for her own 

 happiness or that of others (perhaps), but this I speak with 

 uncertainty. I have had another sweet note from Caroline 

 this evening, in which she says " few people know her noble 

 and excellent qualities, so true, with strong affections and 

 sympathies." Sad, sad Shrewsbury ! which used to look so 

 bright and sunny; though I did dread the Dr. a good deal, 

 and yet I saw his kindness but my nature was and is fearful. 



I have a very grateful remembrance of my aunt Cath- 

 erine. She was a very kind and stimulating companion, 

 taking interest in my reading and what I was doing. Susan 

 Darwin, my father's only unmarried sister, died in the 

 autumn, and the old house at Shrewsbury passed into other 

 hands. She had been her father's favourite daughter, and 

 was greatly beloved by her brothers and sisters. On the 

 death of her sister Marianne, Mrs Parker, in 1858, Susan had 

 adopted her youngest nephew and niece, who lived with her 

 at Shrewsbury till her death. 



In 1866 my father's health was somewhat better and we 

 paid more than one visit to London. 



Emma Darwin to her aunt Fanny Allen. 



QUEEN ANNE STREET, Sunday [28 April, 1866]. 



MY DEAREST AUNT FANNY, 



Our last days here have been so pleasant and suc- 

 cessful that I must write you a scrap. The greatest event 

 was that Charles went last night to the Soiree at the Royal 



