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anecdote to Dr. Howe and myself: ‘Cecilia [Mrs. Combe] had grown up in her mother's shadow, for Mrs. Siddons was to the last such a social idol as to absorb the notice of people wherever she went, leaving little attention to be bestowed upon her daughter.
This was rather calculated to sour the daughter's disposition, and naturally had that effect.’
Mrs. Kemble then spoke of a visit which she had made at her cousin's house after her marriage to Mr. Combe.
In taking leave, she could not refrain from exclaiming, ‘Oh, Cecilia, how you have improved!’
to which Mrs. Combe replied, ‘Who could help improving when living with perfection?’
Dr. Howe and Mr. Combe sometimes visited the galleries in company, viewing the works therein contained in the light of their favorite theory.
I remember having gone with them through the great sculpture hall of the Vatican, listening with edification to their instructive conversation.
They stood for some time before the well-known head of Zeus, the contour and features of which appeared to them quite orthodox, according to the standard of phrenology.
In this last my husband was rather an enthusiastic believer.
He was apt, in judging new acquaintances, to note closely the shape of the head, and at one time was unwilling even to allow a woman servant to be engaged until, at his request,
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