82                                                                                 [chap. VI
 

CHAPTER  VI

1843—1845

The death of John Allen—Emma and IFanny Allen leave Cresselly—
Josiah Wedgwood's death—Our nurse Brodie—Henrietta
Darwin born Sept. 25, 1843—Charles at Shrewsbury—Madame
Sismondi at Chene—A visit to Combe Florey—Emma at Maer
•—Mazzini and Carlyle—George Darwin born July 9, 1845—
Improvements at Down.

John Allen, the brother so beloved by all his sisters, died
in April, 1843. Emma and Fanny Allen now left Cresselly,
which Seymour, John's eldest son, inherited, and joined
Jessie Sismondi and Harriet Surtees at their house in Tenby.
Emma Allen wrote (May 4th, 1843): "Among us four to
think and talk of him is no pain but all consolation. . . .
In my most dear Henry his father's sweet, affectionate
character is most observable. My love for him has had a
strong increase by seeing what use and comfort he was to
his dear father, ' What a blessing and comfort Harry is to
me, Emma,' he said one of the last times he mentioned
him to me."

Josiah Wedgwood, who had never really recovered from
his dangerous illness of the previous year, died peacefully
on July 12th, 1843. Emma was able to be at Maer,
although she was expecting the birth of her fourth child
in September.
 

Fanny Allen to her niece Elizabeth Wedgwood.

My dearest Elizabeth,                                 iJ'^ly^ 1S43].

I feel it almost as necessary as breathing to me now,
to express to you my deep tenderness and feelings for you
at this awful time.   Among all his children, who have loved