Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 7 May 1880
Title
Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 7 May 1880
Title
Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 7 May 1880
Sender
Edith Simcox
Recipient
U
Date(s)
- 1880-05-07
Place
London
Letter Content
Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 7 May 1880
MS: Bodleian. Published: McKenzie, p. 99.
Friday 7 May 1880
Yesterday morning She was married to Johnny Cross and they went abroad. Charles Lewes came immediately after to tell me, and made an appointment for this morning. He tried to "break it to me" and then to explain and reason. I said I was not surprised. I could hardly say anywhere but here that the conception had in some dim form or other crossed my mind. I need not explain to myself how it was. Of course she suffered much -- Charles said she had twice broken it off as impossible -- had thought of all the difficulties -- the effect upon her influence and all the rest: then she had consulted Sir James Paget, as a friend, her physician and impartial. He said there was no reason why she should not. Charles thought it would be well for the world, as she might write again now. He had told Mrs. Peter Taylor and dreaded telling Mrs. Congreve -- Harrison and Beesly had been told. Mr. Hall was to delay the announcement in the Times till Monday. She herself had not been able even to tell Charles, she had made Mr. Cross do so.
MS: Bodleian. Published: McKenzie, p. 99.
Friday 7 May 1880
Yesterday morning She was married to Johnny Cross and they went abroad. Charles Lewes came immediately after to tell me, and made an appointment for this morning. He tried to "break it to me" and then to explain and reason. I said I was not surprised. I could hardly say anywhere but here that the conception had in some dim form or other crossed my mind. I need not explain to myself how it was. Of course she suffered much -- Charles said she had twice broken it off as impossible -- had thought of all the difficulties -- the effect upon her influence and all the rest: then she had consulted Sir James Paget, as a friend, her physician and impartial. He said there was no reason why she should not. Charles thought it would be well for the world, as she might write again now. He had told Mrs. Peter Taylor and dreaded telling Mrs. Congreve -- Harrison and Beesly had been told. Mr. Hall was to delay the announcement in the Times till Monday. She herself had not been able even to tell Charles, she had made Mr. Cross do so.
Citation
Edith Simcox, Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 7 May 1880, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/91811