isia-1814] Madame Catalani 41 



just had a visit from a set of Custom-House officers, informa- 

 tion having been laid that she had contraband goods, and 

 she gave so animated an account of the whole scene that it 

 was quite a beautiful piece of acting. There is something 

 I think quite charming about her, so much sensibility and a 

 naivete so unaffected. . . . 



I am glad the rides about Etruria are so much prettier 

 than you expected. What tho' it is not so delightful a place 

 as that dear Maer, I have no doubt you will be as happy 

 there, for happiness is like heaven, more a state than a 

 place. I have given you such a dose as to completely tire 

 myself, which I do not fear doing you. 



God bless my dear Elizabeth, I am ever her affectionate 



JESSIE ALLEN. 



Jessie Allen to her sister Mrs Josiah Wedgwood. 



DULWICH, November 22 [1813]. 



How eternal and continual are your kindnesses, dearest 

 Bessy. Since I have written to you we have had five 

 packages, containing things most useful and most pleasant. 

 Emma and Fanny were writing to you and therefore at the 

 time told you, I hope, how excellent your gifts were, and 

 how obliged we were, but I must repeat it for my own 

 satisfaction. You shock me, tho', by paying the carriage. 

 You make your presents extravagant to yourself, and what 

 bargains after all they would be to us and leave their 

 carriage on their heads. We are going to feast on your 

 plumbs to-day. ... I suppose you have heard the gener- 

 osity and active kindness of the Warden 1 towards Baugh 

 [Allen] in undertaking, in his absence, the plan of enabling 

 him to marry and retain his place at the College. . . . 



1 Dr John Allen (1771--1843), well known in connection with 

 Holland House, was no relation to the Cresselly Aliens. Byron says 

 of him that " he was the best-informed and one of the ablest men he 

 knew." Dulwich College, of which he was Warden, whilst Baugh 

 Allen was Master, was founded in 1606 by Edward Alleyn, the re- 

 nowned actor. The college consisted of a chapel, a schoolhouse, 

 and twelve almshouses, and the Master and Warden were both 

 always to be of the name of Alleyn. The whole foundation is, of 

 course, now entirely altered. 



