io A Century of Family Letters [CHAP, i 



present I am sure you have too much either for your own 

 health or happiness ; this is most disinterested advice on my 

 part, for what on earth do I love more or prize higher than 

 your affection for us ?" She gave a graphic picture of her 

 nervous dread at returning to Cresselly and her happiness 

 that her younger sister Emma had not to return with her : 

 ' Now she is safe, and I am where I ought to have been long 

 ago. I cannot tell you how much I dreaded my first arrival 

 here, and my nervousness got to such a height as almost 

 amounted to misery.' 1 



The following is an undated draft of a letter from Bessy 

 to her youngest sister Fanny, seventeen years her junior. 

 It must certainly have been written whilst Fanny was quite 

 a girl, probably about 1800. Nothing is known as to what 

 called for Bessy's reproof. 



Mrs Josiah Wedgwood to her sister Fanny Allen. 



MY DEAR FANNY, ETRURIA, Saturday. 



It is not with very pleasant feelings that I consider 

 that there is but one day between this and the end of your 

 visit, and as I fear I shall not have an opportunity or feel 

 it in my power to say all I wish when we part, I chuse this 

 way of conveying to you my tenderest wishes for your 

 happiness. I cannot forbear telling you how amiable your 

 conduct has appeared to me ever since our conversation in 

 the Garden. Your silence left me rather in doubt whether 

 you did not either think me unjust, or feel angry with me 

 for what might appear impertinent. I saw I had given 

 you great pain, and I felt very sorry for it. But your kind 

 and obliging manner to me ever since has completely done 

 away every apprehension of that sort, and I see and appre- 

 ciate as it deserves the delicacy of your conduct. Not only 

 have I never observed in a single instance what I had men- 

 tioned to you, but you have taken care by the most affec- 

 tionate and attentive behaviour to let me see that you were 

 not angry. Continue, my dear Fanny, to watch over your 

 own character, with a sincere desire of perfecting it as much 

 as is in your power, and you will make the happiness of all 

 belonging to you. You have very little to do, for God has 



r 



