IO2 A Century of Family Letters [CHAP, vn 



This was the thing that affected Jenny and Sally most, and 

 they feel themselves quite in high spirits to-day, at having 

 escaped; and for my own part I feel just the same. I will 

 enter upon another sheet because I think you had so much 

 rather pay a little more than have this interesting subject 

 curtailed. We were obliged to be very cautious all the 

 week, for if a breath of suspicion had gone out while it was 

 pending, there would have been a run, and all would have 

 been over. Happily dear Jenny's health has stood it 

 wonderfully. The circular letters all go out to-morrow, 

 and we are going to dine upon a haunch of venison from 

 Dr Darwin, and on Tuesday we all go out of town in our 

 gimcrack for Etruria, and I trust we never shall spend so 

 anxious and unhappy a week as the last. I took Jenny out 

 to Hampton Court yesterday, as well to be out of the way 

 as to see the Philippses. We had a delightful drive, and 

 dear Jenny's elastic spirits rose to a very pleasant pitch. 

 It is wonderful to see the composure with which they all 

 bear the wreck of their fortunes, now they are secure of 

 not being in the Gazette. That evil appeared so enormous, 

 that everything else is thought light in the comparison. 

 They will now stay with us till some arrangement can be 

 made as to their future plans. . . . 



John was largely helped in his difficulties by his brother 

 Jos, his sisters Kitty and Sarah, and his brother-in-law, 

 Dr Darwin. It was soon after this time that their friend 

 Mr Toilet let them have a small house at Betley at a low 

 rent, for the pleasure of their society, and also to be of 

 service to them in their changed fortunes. Bessy mentions 

 his great kindness to Jane with enthusiasm. " I almost 

 worship Mr Toilet," she wrote. This arrangement continued 

 for eight years, I think the longest time they ever stayed in 

 one house. This was a pleasure to both families and a great 

 delight to Bessy to have her beloved sister so near her. 



