54 A Century of Family Letters [CHAP, rv 



the same feelings, because, dearly as I love them, I should 

 dread to take them from the home they are blessed with, 

 happy creatures !" 



When they were contemplating moving to Etruria 

 from motives of economy, Elizabeth wrote to her father 

 (Sept. 1812): 'Mamma does not at all, I think, let the 

 thoughts of leaving Maer harass her; she is in excellent 

 spirits; and as for us, you and mamma make us so happy 

 that where we live will signify very little to us." 



The children of Josiah Wedgwood inherited their share 

 of the good qualities of their father and mother, and especi- 

 ally a remarkable sincerity of character. Elizabeth Wedg- 

 wood, the eldest child, was one of the most unselfish women 

 that ever lived. She suffered from a curvature of the spine, 1 

 but in spite of this disability was vigorous, healthy, and 

 full of energy till extreme old age. She had many tastes 

 and pursuits, but was above all active in works of kindness 

 and help. 



Josiah, the eldest son, often called Joe to distinguish him 

 from his father, was considered to be like his uncle Tom in 

 face. He had wide general knowledge, but he inherited 

 his father's silence and gravity. His mother wrote (Ap. 11, 

 1821) of his behaviour at a London dinner-party: "My 

 Joe was looking very genteel and complacent, but I heard 

 no sound." He lived at Maer and was his father's partner, 

 riding in regularly to the Pottery Works at Etruria. He 

 was not a keen sportsman, but was a bold rider to hounds. 



Jessie Allen wrote in 1815, when he was abroad with their 

 party : " I trust you will have no occasion for any uneasiness 

 in your Joe, he seems quite recovered. You should not 

 yourself watch him with more anxious tenderness than I 

 will on the journey, and I think an Italian winter will be of 

 great service to him. That he has not a strong constitution 

 is the only drawback you have to the most entire satisfac- 

 tion in him. Not only I, but John and Mrs Allen, and all 

 our party, think him matchless as a young man ; such good 

 taste, natural gentility, grace, good sense, and sweet temper 

 we have never before seen combined in one person. He 

 reminds us exceedingly of his uncle Tom, without his fas- 

 tidiousness. His manners I think are quite charming, and 

 so does Lady Davy. Mackintosh says he sees no fault in 

 him whatever but being too spiritless for youth." 



1 I have been told that one remedy tried was whipping her back 

 with nettles. 



