40 Memoirs of Erasmus Darwin, M. D. 



and hand. The dyhig and recorded conversation* of Mrs. 

 Darwin exhibits an affecting account of his first thirteen 

 years residence at Lichfield, and his character as a hus- 

 band. " Do not weepTor my inripending fate," said this 

 amiable creature in the last stage of a decline, and with a 

 smile of unaffected resignation, ^' In the short term of my 

 life a great deal of happiness has been comprised. The ma- 

 ladies of my frame were peculiar; the pains in my head and 

 stomach, which no medicine could eradicate, were spas- 

 modic and violent, and required stronger measures to render 

 them supportable while they lasted, than my constitvition 

 could sustain without injury. The periods of exemption 

 from those pains were frequently of several days duration, 

 and in my intermissions I felt no indication of malady. 

 Pain taught mc the value of ease, and I enjoyed it with a 

 glow of spirit seldom, perhaps, felt by the habitually healthy. 

 While Dr. Darwin combated and assuaged my disease from 

 time to time, his indulgence to all my wishes, his active 

 desire to see me amused and happy, proved incessant. HiSt 

 house, as you know, has ever been the resort of people of 

 science and merit. If, from my husband's great and exten- 

 sive practice, I had much less of his society than I wished^ 

 yet the conversation of his friends, and of my own, was ever 

 rea,dy to enliven the hours of his absence. As occasional 

 malady made me doubly enjoy health, so did those frequent 

 absences give a zest, even to delight, when I could be in- 

 dulged with his company. My three boys have ever been 

 docile and aftectionatc. Children as they are, I could trust 

 them with important secrets, so sacred do they hold every 

 promise they make. They scorn deceit, and falsehood of 

 every sort, and have less selfishness than generally belongs. 

 to childhood. Married to any other man, I do not suppose 

 I could have lived a third part of those years which I have 

 passed with Dr. Darwin ; he has prolonged my days, and 

 he has blessed them." 



The fruits of this marriage were three sons ; and one of 

 tl?,cse inheritirg from thpir father an impediment of speech, 



* By Miss Auaa Seward, in the Life of Dr. Darwin. 



the 



