xvi Wedgwood's Journey into Cornwall 191 



also examined the Isle of St. Nicholas, or Drake's Island, 

 a strongly -fortified rock at the entrance of the river 

 Tamar ; the harbour, the docks, the ships, the hospital, 

 and whatever there was to be seen. He went to the 

 Hoe to enjoy the unrivalled view from that lofty 

 promenade. But time pressed, and Wedgwood must 

 hasten back to Etruria. Yet he desired to see so much 

 that was novel on his way homeward. Instead of 

 returning to London, he went northward through 

 Wellington, Taunton, Bridgewater, and Glastonbury in 

 Somerset. Nothing pleased him more than the cathe- 

 dral city of Wells, the fine old cathedral with its 

 precincts and other buildings constituting a perfectly 

 unique English city. 



Wedgwood went northward through Bath and 

 Gloucester, calling upon his friend Boulton at Bir- 

 mingham on his way home, and thus finishing a very 

 pleasant and profitable journey. He was of course 

 received with joy and welcome by his loving wife and 

 family at Etruria. He had long arrears to make up 

 with his boys and girls, to whom he was deeply 

 attached. We have already referred to his affection for 

 his devoted wife, who not only cherished him during 

 illnesses, but conducted his correspondence while he 

 was unable to attend to his ordinary business. 



We may refer to some of his written intercourse 

 with his children. When in London, on one occasion, 

 he wrote a long history of an imaginary journey to the 

 metropolis to his "Dear Kitty." It was entitled 



