1888-1892]                                                                              28l
 

CHAPTER XX

1888—1892

Mrs Josiah. Wedgwood of Leith Hill Place dies—^Frank Wedgwood's
death—The Parnell Commission—My mother's ill-health—Her
affection for Down^—Lord Grey and Princess Lieven—The death
of Hensleigh Wedgwood—^My illness at Durham—^Leonard
Darwin stands for Lichfield—The grandchildren at Down.

My father's only surviving sister, Caroline, the widow   of
Josiah Wedgwood, of Leith HiU Place, died on January 5,

1888.

Jan. Sth, 1888.

I feel that I have lost the only real hnk with old times.
I do not count my brothers, as I think most men, and they
especiaUy, do not like remembering. I keep almost
the last letter which speaks so warmly of caring for my
letters, and I am glad that I wrote more often than usual
lately. Hers was a very wonderful nature in the power of
her affections and interests conquering such discomfort as
she constantly had.

March llth, 1888.

I am driven by stress of bad novels to Carlyle again.
His intense integrity about money is admirable. He and
his wife were quite angelic about the burning of the ms.
A cup of cold water is never wasted on such a heart as
Richard's, a propos to my poor little notes.

The Grove, May 29, 1888.

I am quite longing to see the fun on the 9thi : George
said he could get me tickets and place me so near the door

^ The installation of the Duke of Devonshire as Chancellor.