It is a very mean spirited comment and I just wondered if it came from something particular, a dislike of him or his wife or both. She does talk about Miss Pearson's looks also in an unfavorable light in Letter 7. I would be unsettled to think JA had some bias and judged people by their appearance—an impression I have never had from her writings. In her novels she describes people as plain and says other uncomplimentary things to describe them and it does bring them very vividly to life but I can't remember anything so biting as this. Charlotte (P&P) is plain but still appreciated. An allusion to Emma on Box Hill is interesting and I wonder if JA ever regretted this comment or felt bad about it--I am sure CEA did not tell people about it or anything—but Emma did learn to regret what she said at Box Hill. I do not mind thinking that the comment was made from stress.