1836-1837] Charles Darwin at Maer 273 



I took to gardening at a great rate. I think one enjoys 

 being alive more in that sort of late autumn fine weather 

 than at any other time of the year. Good-bye, my dear F. 



Emma Wedgwood to her sister-in-law Mrs Hensleigh 



Wedgwood. 



MAEK, Monday [Nov. 21, 1836]. 



. . . We enjoyed Charles's visit uncommonly. We had 

 been very handsome in inviting all the outlyers of the 

 family to meet him, and the last morning the chaise from 

 Tern Hill 1 did not come, and we persuaded them to stay, 

 and had just made ourselves comfortable and planned a 

 walk when the chaise arrived. However we got them to 

 let us send it off, though Caroline felt it to be rather naughty, 

 and we had a very nice snug day of them to ourselves. 

 Charles talked away most pleasantly all the time ; we plied 

 him with questions without any mercy. Harry and Frank 

 made the most of him and enjoyed him thoroughly. Caroline 

 looks so happy and proud of him it is delightful to see her. 

 We had her a whole month, and I never enjoyed a visit of 

 hers so much ; she was so very nice and settled herself more 

 at home here than usual. 



Charles was quite angry with Charlotte's picture. He 

 studied it many times to see if he could find any likeness 

 and said: " I hope to fate she is not like that picture." I 

 suppose he has rather a poetical idea of her, for the picture 

 is certainly very like. 



Elizabeth Wedgwood to her aunt Madame Sismondi. 



MY DEAR JESSIE, MAEK > Dec 14 - 



I received your dear letter while our pleasant guests 

 were with us. I never saw uncle Allen looking better nor in 

 better spirits in my life. His perpetual pleasant and sweet 

 looks and merry laugh were quite delightful to see and hear. 



1 Tern Hill, on the road to Shrewsbury. 



