I am so glad Daughters interested you.[534] I have heard such teasing stories about that Lady Ridley—quite incredible. I am sure a few mothers’ and daughters’ books are wanted just to make them understand each other. If mothers would take the same pains not to hurt their children’s feelings, that they do not to hurt other people’s children, it would make homes much happier. They should not twit them with not marrying, or with being plain, etc., and they should enter, whether they feel it or not, into their children’s tastes. The longer I live, the more I see that if the old mean to be loved by the young, and even on a selfish calculation they ought to wish it, they must think of their own young feelings and susceptibilities, and avoid all the little roughnesses from which they suffered themselves. One of the remorses of my life is not having loved my mother enough, because she was a most excellent mother; but she rather teased me, and held up other girls, and roused bad feelings of jealousy. And my father we all worshipped, though I think he was particular with us, but then it was all done with so much tact. I heard a great deal more about Mrs. Fry[535] and her daughter, which set me thinking over all these things. Your ever affectionate
E. E.
Miss Eden to Lady Theresa Lewis.
ADMIRALTY,
Friday [April 1848].
MY DEAREST THERESA, It is impossible to say anything in your favour as a correspondent, so don’t expect it. But you may have other good points. I do not know that you are entirely depraved. To make an example: You might hesitate to stew a child—one of your own, perhaps. But as a constant letter-writer, you are decidedly and finally a failure. I could not imagine what had become of you, and it was a beautiful trait in my character not writing; because nothing is so tiresome as a letter about a long recovery.
I am better, but not well, and the more shame for me, for Ramsgate was charming, everything that it ought to have been, delicious weather for anybody who could not walk much, or drive at all. As it was warm enough to sit out half the day, we had a small house quite close to the sands. Not an acquaintance to disturb us. Ella[536] and I suited each other admirably. I was not equal to company, and yet should have been sorry to drive my young lady to a dull life. But it is what she likes best, and she really enjoyed her quiet life, found plenty of amusement for herself, and was quite sorry when our five weeks were over. I do not know any sea place I could like better than Ramsgate; it is so dry and so cheerful, and such quantities of vessels are constantly coming in and out. There were Greek, Russian, Dutch, Swedish, Spanish and French ships in quantities; and the most picturesque-looking people always walking about in the shape of foreign sailors.
We came back on Monday, having a very smooth sea for our voyage, and a remarkably thick fog for our reception, which has lasted till this morning. It is fine now.
No, I cannot say I have worried my intellect much with endeavours to understand the monetary crisis. I am sorry Parliament is to meet, being well aware that a country cursed with a House of Commons never can have any liberty or prosperity; but I suppose it is unavoidable. I was rather glad the Government did something; because even if it is a losing thing, I think the country is better satisfied when the Government seems to try and help it, and it is more creditable to all parties. But it seems to me that the measure has hitherto had a good effect, and has done no harm.
May not I now allude to the “Secret of the Comedy,” and wish you joy of Mr. Lewis’s new office,[537] which is one I should think he would like, and I should think you would too. It is interesting work, without being dull slavery, as many offices are.
To be sure, there never was anything like the character Lord C. [Clarendon] is making for himself; and if he could make one for that desperate country he is trying to govern, Solomon would be a misery to him. But what a people! I quite agree with Carlyle, who says: “If the Irish were not the most degraded savages on earth, they would blush to find themselves alive at all, instead of asking for means to remain so.” But everybody agrees in saying they never had such a Lord-Lieutenant before.