64 A Century of Family Letters L CHAP - v 



boys will think, that we wish to coax him." " I don't think 

 any way of spending your money can be more proper than 

 shewing your gratitude, therefore if you will trust me with 

 the guinea I will execute the commission for you." We 

 had then a consultation about the taste of the writing 

 master, and it was agreed that as he was fond of poetry, 

 unless we found something better, which would not be very 

 easy, we were to get a volume of Lord Byron's poems. If 

 this is twaddling pray excuse it. 



And now to tell you my opinion of the Corsair. I think 

 it beautiful beyond all his other works. The last canto 

 is full of beauties. What a genius he is ! Like Shake- 

 spear, the commonest stories become gold under his hands, 

 but I don't like the dedication, it is very affected. I don't 

 believe the pretence he makes of not caring for the opinions 

 of those who are unknown to him, and I should think 

 worse of him if I did. Who can sincerely despise the 

 opinions of his fellow-men ? and what affectation to pretend 

 to do so if he does not, and this from a man, too, who was 

 driven half mad by the castigation of the Edinburgh 

 Review. 



I received dear Emma [AllenJ's letter when I was at 

 Parkfields, and I am charmed to hear she liked the black 

 gown. I thought myself the chenille was a bright thought 

 to enliven the insupportable monotony of my green leaves. 

 As for the trimming of the body, it is in the hands of fate 

 and Charlotte, so I have no responsibility about it. 



They have had a ball at Caroline [Drewe]'s, where among 

 a number of pretty girls, Emma Caldwell was pronounced 

 the fairest. Sally 1 has got half a lover, but a great beauty 

 has got the other half, so except upon musical evenings 

 Sally is ill off, but then she is altogether triumphant, and 

 then the beauty is in despair. Joe writes very pleasant 

 letters from Edinburgh. He mixes quite as much in society 

 as he wishes, and in very agreeable society. Dr Holland is 

 very highly spoken of there. He is going to town very soon 



1 Sarah Elizabeth, eldest daughter of John Wedgwood, afterwards 

 mlled Eliza. 



