Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1880

Wedgwood Archives

WM644

No date

Copies of a letter from Emma Darwin (1808-1896) to her niece Snow (Francis Julia Wedgwood 1833-1913).  This also contained a copy of a passage from Emma Holland’s (nee Caldwell) diary.  No date but presumably 1880s or 1890s.  The letter reads as follows:

My dear Snow

I cannot tell you what vivid pleasure this letter has given me, if only in putting me in mind of that ride, which was a great honour to a little girl of course.  I remember my wonder at Emma [Holland nee Caldwell] being able to force herself (she was very tall and not slender) into Eliz habit, and I wonder that Eliz herself could have worn some make shift I suppose.  I remember Harry’s high spirits and the short gallop we took up the little pitches of the pretty wood we were skirting.  It is that Jos excited some interest in her mind.  I doubt whether common sense can be learnt by education, no doubt it can be improved.  There would be no liberty at Linley Wood while Mr Caldwell was in the room.  He was narrow and nervous and self conscious and is the only man I remember my father disliking. A high Tory and I have no doubt those clever daughters had all sorts of liberal crotchets.  Mrs Caldwell was genial and delightful.  The brother [James Stamford Caldwell] the most disagreeable man (except Villiers Surtees) I ever saw. He was always half in love with Charlotte, and kept her on the tender hooks of avoidance.  There was the same want of liberty at Shrewsbury whenever the Dr was in the room …

File P1010082

Letter to Georgina from Louisa at Linley Wood, about 1880

March 20^th

Dearest Georgy,

The enclosed came this morning and I send it you in the way you described me to do. I do so hope it will report dear Arthur all right and I shall be so glad to hear. One thinks so of John and you and his poor Father. His Mother one believes sees and understands all about it, better than we can.

The two Wilbrahams took their departure this morning and professed to have liked their visit very much. They have been most agreeable and pleasant and are thoroughly excellent women. The Croftons stay with us till Friday and sweet little Rosamond Lawton and [then?] Fanny wants her to go and stay with her at [White?] Hall. She plays so [meely, sweetly?] and is such a dear girl altogether. I should be quite pleased to see her Mrs Arthur Heath. The Bishop took a good deal of notice of her and gave her such good advice in such a charming playful way, to be sure to read and cultivate her mail! You have one lamb arrived. Mrs Beeston says Beeston is distressing himself that there are not more. And she tells him they will be all the stronger! Rowland Corbet is coming here on the 9^th. I am sorry I shall just be gone. He has sent us some [mittens?] and I send you the pair I think will fit you hands. Are they not beautifully knitted and pretty? I meant to have written for a long letter today but what with the farm accounts, business letters etc etc. I have again no news left. I do hope to do better soon. Your ever affectionate and loving Louisa.