270 [CHAP, 



CHAPTER XIX 



18851888 



The unveiling of the statue of Charles Darwin Dicky, my mother's 

 dog A visit from her brothers Frank and Hensleigh Wedg- 

 wood Oxlip gathering Her politics Playing patience and 

 reading novels Her grandchildren and daughters-in-law The 

 publication of my father's Life. 



THE Memorial Statue of my father was unveiled on the 

 9th June, 1885, at the Natural History Museum. My 

 mother did not attend the ceremony; she wrote, "I 

 should like very much to be present but I should prefer 

 avoiding all greetings and acquaintances." 



Emma Darvnn to her daughter-in-law Sara. 



DOWN, Monday [1885]. 



I came here on Friday, having spent two days at 31, 

 Queen Anne St. One of the mornings I went to see the 

 statue. The situation is unique, and I liked the attitude, 

 but I do not think it is a strong likeness. George has been 

 with Mr Boehm to have a cast of his hand taken as a sort of 

 guide to altering the hands; but I believe if he attempted 

 to make them as small as they really were, they would look 

 out of proportion with the size of the figure. However I 

 never expected to be satisfied with the likeness, and the 

 general look of dignity and repose is of more consequence. 



It was a dismal black day on my arrival [at Down], but 

 I was glad to wander about alone before the others came. 

 On Saturday it was pretty and bright and the garden very 

 gay, and everything in great order. 









