1825-1826] Geneva a Huffy Town 167 



Mrs Josiah Wedgwood to her sister Fanny Allen at 



Kingscote. 



GENEVA, Ap. 21, 1825. 



Jessie is gone to Chene with Sismondi to hang up her 

 curtains and to scrattle about, as we go there to-morrow, 

 and she piques herself upon my finding it very comfortable. 

 I have been waiting for a little pause in her correspondence 

 to thank you, dearest of Fannys, for yours of the 6th of last 

 month. But another from my ever dear Jenny [Wedgwood] 

 has made my gratitude to you both overflow, and I am 

 enjoying being " by myself," that I may write to you quite 

 at my ease in this little drawing-room, with a good fire, and 

 just at Emma [Allen]'s own end of the table where she used 

 to study. I pretend to study French, but in a very dawd- 

 ling manner. Indeed we dawdle a good deal over every- 

 thing, and can with some difficulty breakfast before 10 

 o'clock, do no work, and scarcely read at all. I hope we 

 shall mend our manners when we get to Chene. 



I felt a little low-spirited when they all went, but I trust 

 my Jessie did not perceive it, and I am now extremely com- 

 fortable. Who could be otherwise with such a kind, such 

 an affectionate and such an agreeable hostess ? Yet to give 

 up sweet Italy and noble Rome, never again to have a 

 chance of seeing them ! I did it willingly, but it was some- 

 thing like putting on a blister, it made me smart. 



Jessie gave a grand Soiree last night, which, she insists 

 upon it, has offended all her company. I saw no signs of it, 

 but she says that many of the second set gave out signs of 

 dissatisfaction at being so grouped, and a few of the aristo- 

 crats would think themselves encanailUs. She asked about 

 60, but more than 20 sent excuses, and those of the best, 

 and the Tag Rags sat all one side of the room, not moving 

 from their seats and doing nothing. The gentlemen having 

 no seats were obliged to stand. Poor Madame Piscara and 

 Madame Rossi sat as usual, almost by themselves, and it is 

 no small proof of the pride and ill-nature of this place, the 



