1816J 99 



CHAPTER VII 



1816 



The crisis in Davison's Bank Its failure averted The loss of the 

 John Wedgwoods' fortune Their move to Betley. 



IN the summer of 1816 a crisis occurred in the fortunes 

 of the John Wedgwoods. Davison's Bank, in which he was 

 a partner, had apparently been in an unsound state for some 

 time, and there was now imminent danger of bankruptcy. 

 He had sunk nearly the whole of his property in the concern. 



Mrs John Wedgwood to her brother-in-law Josiah 



Wedgivood. 



MY DEAR JOS, [LONDON], August 14 [1816]. 



I have no doubt that John has thanked you for 

 your letter of the 10th, but I am anxious to add my thanks 

 to his, for what was indeed a type of yourself, in its wisdom 

 and kindness. I can also give you the only reward in my 

 power (but which you will not think trifling), in the assur- 

 anc'e that poor John has found considerable relief in acting 

 on your advice. He had last night a quiet comfortable 

 night, and awakened to-day refreshed and with quiet nerves. 

 The confidence you urged him to make to me and the 

 children was indeed suspected by me long, tho' I believe it 

 was proved by the immediate shock it gave me that I had 

 feared more than expected it. All my four children have 

 borne it as I could have wished them, with entire resignation 

 if the blow does fall on us, and with renewed tenderness to 

 their father and myself. Tom I mention particularly, 

 because he has hitherto seen life more in its holiday dress 

 than the rest, but who, I am convinced, will concur without 



