GE to Charles Bray, Richmond, 1 September [1856]
Title
GE to Charles Bray, Richmond, 1 September [1856]
Title
GE to Charles Bray, Richmond, 1 September [1856]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Charles Bray
Date(s)
- 1856-09-01
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GE to Charles Bray, Richmond, 1 September [1856]
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Park Shot | Richmond | September 1.
Dear Friend
I have this minute laid down Sara's kind letter -- which distresses me, however, for it tells me that she has been suffering much discomfort of body -- and your postscript, which rather vexes me. I will tell you why. Last Monday Mr. Lewes started with the boys to Hofwyl, and I expect him home tomorrow or Wednesday. 740 I had counted on this space of solitary time to get an article written which I had promised to let Mr. Chapman have for his next number. 741 But lo! on Tuesday came seven large devils of toothache in place of one little devil that had been teazing me now and then, and from Tuesday till Saturday I was nothing but a frightful energumen. 742 The doctor came and said it was neuralgia, and dosed me with quinine. That didn't do so we sent for the dentist, who decided that it was simply my good-for-nothing wisdom tooth. So I was chloroformed twice, and at last -- on Saturday evening -- the tooth was got out.
I had written to Mr. Chapman begging him to let me off and get a substitute, but he cruelly wrote back that he must have the article. So here am I on this blessed 1st of September, with this odious article to write in a hurry and with Mr. Lewes coming home to reduce my writing time to the minimum. That is why I am vexed you are coming on the 6th, for we MUST see you, if everything else goes wrong. Send me word exactly when you shall be here. Love and thanks to Sara. I will write to her another day. I am not yet well, and unable to begin my work. If it were not for the work I should be in excellent spirits at the idea of having got through this nasty business of chloroform and forceps while Mr. Lewes is away. Excuse incoherence.
Ever yours
Marian.
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Park Shot | Richmond | September 1.
Dear Friend
I have this minute laid down Sara's kind letter -- which distresses me, however, for it tells me that she has been suffering much discomfort of body -- and your postscript, which rather vexes me. I will tell you why. Last Monday Mr. Lewes started with the boys to Hofwyl, and I expect him home tomorrow or Wednesday. 740 I had counted on this space of solitary time to get an article written which I had promised to let Mr. Chapman have for his next number. 741 But lo! on Tuesday came seven large devils of toothache in place of one little devil that had been teazing me now and then, and from Tuesday till Saturday I was nothing but a frightful energumen. 742 The doctor came and said it was neuralgia, and dosed me with quinine. That didn't do so we sent for the dentist, who decided that it was simply my good-for-nothing wisdom tooth. So I was chloroformed twice, and at last -- on Saturday evening -- the tooth was got out.
I had written to Mr. Chapman begging him to let me off and get a substitute, but he cruelly wrote back that he must have the article. So here am I on this blessed 1st of September, with this odious article to write in a hurry and with Mr. Lewes coming home to reduce my writing time to the minimum. That is why I am vexed you are coming on the 6th, for we MUST see you, if everything else goes wrong. Send me word exactly when you shall be here. Love and thanks to Sara. I will write to her another day. I am not yet well, and unable to begin my work. If it were not for the work I should be in excellent spirits at the idea of having got through this nasty business of chloroform and forceps while Mr. Lewes is away. Excuse incoherence.
Ever yours
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Charles Bray, Richmond, 1 September [1856], 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/92156