270                                                                                    [chap. XIX
 

CHAPTER XIX

1885—1888

The unveiling of the statue of Charles Darwin—Dicky, my mother's
dog—A visit from her brothers Frank and Hensleigh Wedg¬
wood-—Oxlip gathering—Her politics—Playing patience and
reading novels—Her grandchildren and daughters-in-law—The
publication of my father's Life.

The Memorial Statue of my father was unveUed on the
9th June, 1885, at the Natural History Museum. My
mother did not attend the ceremony; she wrote, "I
should like very much to be present but I should prefer
avoiding aU greetings and acquaintances."
 

Emma Darwin to her daughter-inr-law Sara.

Down, Monday [1885].

I came here on Friday, having spent two days at 31,
Queen Anne St. One of the mornings I went to see the
statue. The situation is unique, and I liked the attitude,
but I do not think it is a strong likeness. George has been
with Mx Boehm to have a cast of his hand taken as a sort of
guide to altering the hands; but I believe if he attempted
to make them as smaU as they reaUy were, they would look
out of proportion with the si2je of the figure. However I
never expected to be satisfied with the likeness, and the
general look of dignity and repose is of more consequence.

It was a dismal black day on my arrival [at Down], but
I was glad to wander about alone before the others came.
On Saturday it was pretty and bright and the garden very
gay, and everything in great order.