66 Josiah Wedgwood CHAP. 



" If you know my temper and sentiments on these 

 affairs, you will be sensible how I am mortified when I 

 tell you I have gone through a long series of bargain- 

 making, of settlements, reversions, provisions, and so on. 

 ' Gone through it,' did I say ? Would to Hymen that I 

 had. No ! I am still in the attorney's hands, from which 

 I hope it is no harm to pray, ' Good Lord, deliver me ! ' 

 Miss W. and I are perfectly agreed, and would settle 

 the whole affair in three lines and in as many minutes ; 

 but our papa, over-careful of his daughter's interest, 

 would by some demands which I cannot comply with 

 go near to separate us if we were not better determined. 

 On Friday next, Mr. W. and I are to meet in great 

 form, with each of us our attorney, which I hope will 

 prove conclusive. You shall then hear further from 

 your obliged and very affectionate friend, JOSIAH 

 WEDGWOOD." 



Again he wrote to the same correspondent, 23rd 

 January 1764: "All matters being amicably settled 

 between my pappa (elect) and myself, I yesterday pre- 

 vailed upon my dear girl to name the day, the blissful 

 day, when she will reward all my faithful services. . . . 

 In three words, we are to be married on Wednesday 

 next. On that auspicious day think it no sin to wash 

 your philosophic evening pipe with a glass or two 

 extraordinary, to hail your friend and wish him good 

 speed into the realms of matrimony. Adieu, my 

 good friend! I am very busy to-day, in order that 

 no business may intrude on my pleasures for the rest 



