GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 August 1864
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 August 1864
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 August 1864
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1864-08-12
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 August 1864
MS: Berg Collection, New York Public Library. Brief extract published: Haight, George Eliot, p. 377.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
August 12. 64.
Dearest Barbara
I am glad to think of you in your "cottage near a wood" under these fine skies. But it was a pity that we didn't see you that Sunday, and that you didn't see the Orang. She is more touching and amiable than the little chimpanzee at the Crystal Palace, but not so clever and dramatic. Chim has a great piece of heavy drapery in his cage, with which he drapes himself in a magnificent mysterious manner, as if he were trying to find his way to an art that would express his very big thoughts.
About dear Bessie, I will try to think that all will come right. 621 On these matters we outsiders can never judge otherwise than blunderingly. Relations that seem to us full of promise are the preparation of misery, and vice versa. That stanza you quote would serve as a motto for half the history of my life: what pain I have had from the ills that have never befallen me!
Apropos of that interesting subject, self, I have been having my likeness taken "positively for the last time" or rather by the last person, namely by Mr. F. W. Burton. 622 George saw it for the first time the other day, and was in raptures with it, whereupon Mr. Burton told him it was his (George's). I don't know myself whether it is good or not.
George has been very poorly -- Dr. Brinton 623 says solely from feebleness -- and he looks thinner and thinner. He is so good. You are one of those who guess how good he is. God bless you, Barbara, if only for that.
Ever yours
Marian.
MS: Berg Collection, New York Public Library. Brief extract published: Haight, George Eliot, p. 377.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
August 12. 64.
Dearest Barbara
I am glad to think of you in your "cottage near a wood" under these fine skies. But it was a pity that we didn't see you that Sunday, and that you didn't see the Orang. She is more touching and amiable than the little chimpanzee at the Crystal Palace, but not so clever and dramatic. Chim has a great piece of heavy drapery in his cage, with which he drapes himself in a magnificent mysterious manner, as if he were trying to find his way to an art that would express his very big thoughts.
About dear Bessie, I will try to think that all will come right. 621 On these matters we outsiders can never judge otherwise than blunderingly. Relations that seem to us full of promise are the preparation of misery, and vice versa. That stanza you quote would serve as a motto for half the history of my life: what pain I have had from the ills that have never befallen me!
Apropos of that interesting subject, self, I have been having my likeness taken "positively for the last time" or rather by the last person, namely by Mr. F. W. Burton. 622 George saw it for the first time the other day, and was in raptures with it, whereupon Mr. Burton told him it was his (George's). I don't know myself whether it is good or not.
George has been very poorly -- Dr. Brinton 623 says solely from feebleness -- and he looks thinner and thinner. He is so good. You are one of those who guess how good he is. God bless you, Barbara, if only for that.
Ever yours
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 August 1864, 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/93024