1826-1827] Caroline Darwin 193 



taste in her countenance. I am very glad of it; the world 

 soon shows which is really the prettiest, and when two go 

 so much together, it is difficult that the one not preferred 

 should not be mortified. Fanny looks remarkably well in 

 a ball-room; she holds herself well, is most radiant in her 

 person and brilliant in her colouring; so that it is never 

 known we perceive the difference. How I do wish they 

 were my own children, from whom I should never be separ- 

 ated, with whom I might play what pranks I pleased. Sis 

 thinks Edward all the fools on earth not to be in love with 

 Emma, he cannot imagine how it can be avoided. Edward 

 goes out now almost every evening, he is much liked from 

 his gaiety, his good breeding, and his charmante figure. But 

 he comes to us morning and evening whenever he can. For 

 my own part I love him very tenderly ; I have never met with 

 such docility in any human being, or hardly more affection 

 and always such perfect good and gentle breeding, that in 

 living a long life with him one is sure of being secure from the 

 smallest rudeness, even roughness. Not so with his sisters ; 

 he has all their sweet temper. I am convinced Caroline 

 has done the wisest thing she could in sending him here. 

 The fashion of the place is strict morality ; he will always go 

 in the extreme of the fashion. . . . 



Elizabeth Wedgwood to her sister Fanny. 



MAEB, Saturday, Feb. 17 [1827j 



. . . Caroline Darwin left us yesterday we could not 

 get her to stay any longer, tho' we assured her she would 

 not find herself the least wanted when she got home. She 

 says she has been in a foolish talking humour so long that 

 she is quite tired, and is gone home hoping Susan will let 

 her be serious. . . . 



She had a very pleasant letter from Charles [Darwin] 

 while she was here, begging to know whether Wilcox [the 

 gamekeeper] was still Lord paramount here, and if she could 

 find out without much trouble, he should like particularly 



