The Napiers. 155 



and in 1837 I planted a cedar in remembrance of 

 one of our visits. 



Through Lady Bunbury we became intimate with 

 all the members of the illustrious family of the 

 Napiers, as she was sister of Colonel, afterwards 

 General Sir William Napier, author of the "His- 

 tory of the Peninsular War." One day Colonel 

 Napier, who was then living in Sloane Street, intro- 

 duced Somerville and me to his mother, Lady Sarah 

 Napier. Her manners were distinguished, and 

 though totally blind, she still had the remains of 

 great beauty ; her hand and arm, which were ex- 

 posed by the ancient costume she wore, were most 

 beautiful still. The most sincere friendship existed 

 between Richard Napier and his wife and me through 

 life ; I shall never forget their kindness to me at a 

 time when I was in great sorrow. All the brothers 

 are now gone. Richard and his wife were long in 

 bad health, and he was nearly blind ; but his wife 

 never knew it, through the devoted attachment of 

 Emily Shirriff, daughter of Admiral Shirriff, who 

 was the comfort and consolation of both to their 

 dying day. 



Maria Edgeworth came frequently to see us when 

 she was in England. She was one of my most 

 intimate friends, warm-hearted and kind, a charming 

 companion, with all the liveliness and originality of 



