282 A Century of Family Letters [CHAP, xx 



consider the infinite importance to a young author of his first 

 proof-sheets. You will say I am utterly unworthy, when 

 I tell you that I think I would sooner pay Maer a quiet 

 visit, than hear all the drums and fiddles in the world to- 

 gether. ... To write a book I do not doubt is a very grand 

 thing, but there ought to be a deal of satisfaction from 

 some source to repay one for all one loses. What a waste 

 of life to stop all summer in this ugly Marlborough Street, 

 and see nothing but the same odious house on the opposite 

 side, as often as one looks out. I long to pay Shrewsbury 

 a visit, and pray recollect I have put your most good 

 natured invitation a little further back in the autumn when 

 I will be quite free. Give my love to all at Maer and 

 believe me, dear Elizabeth, 



Yours affectionately, 



CHARLES DARWIN. 



Fanny Allen to her niece Elizabeth Wedgwood. 



CRESSELLY, Sept. 2Sth [1837]. 



You will not guess whom we are expecting here to-day, 

 BO I may as well tell you. You know we are not fastidious 

 in the morals of our lady friends from the example of the 

 Countess Guiccioli, and Mrs Norton is our expected guest. 

 Charles Brinsley Sheridan comes with her, and a Mrs Barton, 

 who has been staying at Tenby this summer. John [Allen] 

 met this party at Baugh's two days ago, and asked them 

 here, after seeing the dock-yard and launch to day Baugh 

 of course is master of the ceremonies. Lady Cawdor has 

 been staying here these last two days; she is just gone, but 

 she said she should have had no objection to meeting 

 Mrs Norton at all. Though the trial 1 revealed a mode of 

 going on that was rather strange and not altogether re- 



1 The trial was a year before this. She was accused of an intrigue 

 with Lord Melbourne. The result entirely vindicated her character. 

 It is said that some of Lord Melbourne's notes to her, gave Dickens 

 hints for Mr Pickwick's " chops and tomato sauce " letter to Mrs 

 Bardell. 



