GE to George Combe, Coventry, 29 October 1852
Title
GE to George Combe, Coventry, 29 October 1852
Title
GE to George Combe, Coventry, 29 October 1852
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
George Combe
Date(s)
- 1852-10-29
Place
Coventry
Letter Content
GE to George Combe, Coventry, 29 October 1852
MS: National Library of Scotland. Endorsed: Rosehill 29 Oct. 1852 | Miss Evans.
Rosehill, Coventry | October 29. 1852.
My dear Sir
I am so in the habit of blending husband and wife together in my correspondence, that I felt as if I were writing both to you and Mrs. Combe in my last letter, 141 and hence I omitted any special message of remembrances to you.
I am sorry to tell you that I did not see Mr. Greg 142 during my stay at Ambleside. He and Miss Martineau are on very friendly terms, but there is not a frequent interchange of visits between them. However, I took care that he should receive your letter and pamphlet, as I dare say you have by this time learned from himself.
Even one who went to see Miss Martineau with a prepossession against her must be won to admiration of her geniality, and energetic efforts for the good of her working neighbours. Her building society, her lectures, and her affectionate interest in the welfare of her servants, who, after being with her several years, are trying to "better themselves" by marriage and emigration, shew a practical goodness quite as rare as her talent for writing. There are so many in the world who have more than all her foibles, without her bright and good qualities, and yet people give her much harder measure than they are willing to grant to those said do-nothings.
I found my friends here quite well and cheerful. Coventry trade is more hopeful than usual, and Mr. Bray's good-natured face is free from any hint of anxiety.
Best love to Mrs. Combe, who perhaps will read this to you by the dining-room fire after breakfast. I think with pleasure of the mornings when I was seated there between you. I hope the screen I used to hold, or something else outward or inward, will now and then remind you both of those same mornings and suggest to you that I may like to hear how you are and what you are doing. Ever, my dear Sir,
Yours truly
Marian Evans.
MS: National Library of Scotland. Endorsed: Rosehill 29 Oct. 1852 | Miss Evans.
Rosehill, Coventry | October 29. 1852.
My dear Sir
I am so in the habit of blending husband and wife together in my correspondence, that I felt as if I were writing both to you and Mrs. Combe in my last letter, 141 and hence I omitted any special message of remembrances to you.
I am sorry to tell you that I did not see Mr. Greg 142 during my stay at Ambleside. He and Miss Martineau are on very friendly terms, but there is not a frequent interchange of visits between them. However, I took care that he should receive your letter and pamphlet, as I dare say you have by this time learned from himself.
Even one who went to see Miss Martineau with a prepossession against her must be won to admiration of her geniality, and energetic efforts for the good of her working neighbours. Her building society, her lectures, and her affectionate interest in the welfare of her servants, who, after being with her several years, are trying to "better themselves" by marriage and emigration, shew a practical goodness quite as rare as her talent for writing. There are so many in the world who have more than all her foibles, without her bright and good qualities, and yet people give her much harder measure than they are willing to grant to those said do-nothings.
I found my friends here quite well and cheerful. Coventry trade is more hopeful than usual, and Mr. Bray's good-natured face is free from any hint of anxiety.
Best love to Mrs. Combe, who perhaps will read this to you by the dining-room fire after breakfast. I think with pleasure of the mornings when I was seated there between you. I hope the screen I used to hold, or something else outward or inward, will now and then remind you both of those same mornings and suggest to you that I may like to hear how you are and what you are doing. Ever, my dear Sir,
Yours truly
Marian Evans.
Signature
Marian Evans.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to George Combe, Coventry, 29 October 1852, 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/92455