GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 May 1863
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 May 1863
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 May 1863
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1863-05-12
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 May 1863
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Hitherto unpublished.
Blandford Sq. | May 12. 63.
My dear Barbara
I was very much in want of that proof in black and white that you were not only "all right" but that part of the rightness consisted in sometimes thinking of me.
Yes! we shall be in town in June. Your coming would be reason good enough, but we have others -- chiefly, that we are up to the ears in Boydom and imperious parental duties. All is as happy and prosperous with us as heart can lawfully desire, except my health. I have been a mere wretch for several months past. You will come to me like the morning sunlight and make me a little less of a flaccid cabbage plant.
It is a very pretty life you are leading at Hastings with your painting all morning and fair mothers and children to look at the rest of the day. You will bring still better news, I hope, when you come to town. That about Nannie was especially gratifying to me, because in her letter, lively as it was, there were phrases that gave me rather a melancholy notion of her health.
The insects can be waited for a long while, as they will keep, and Mr. Lewes is not tempted to microscopy just now. I am terribly frightened about Mrs. W. 156 She wrote to me telling me that we were sure to suit each other, neither of us holding the opinions of the "moutons de Panurge." 157 Nothing could have been more decisive of the opposite prospect to me. If there is one attitude more odious than any other of the many attitudes of "Knowingness" it is that air of lofty superiority to the vulgar. However, she will soon find out that I am a very common-place woman.
I have been fasting so long from all news about you, that I shall have a voracious appetite for all you can tell of these six months.
Our boy, who brightens up at your name, is as good or better than ever, only his beard grows with a vicious rapidity -- the downy time forever gone!
George shares all my loves and cares, you know -- and not least those which concern you and the dear Doctor -- our image of human uprightness, bodily and spiritual.
Ever yours
Marian.
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Hitherto unpublished.
Blandford Sq. | May 12. 63.
My dear Barbara
I was very much in want of that proof in black and white that you were not only "all right" but that part of the rightness consisted in sometimes thinking of me.
Yes! we shall be in town in June. Your coming would be reason good enough, but we have others -- chiefly, that we are up to the ears in Boydom and imperious parental duties. All is as happy and prosperous with us as heart can lawfully desire, except my health. I have been a mere wretch for several months past. You will come to me like the morning sunlight and make me a little less of a flaccid cabbage plant.
It is a very pretty life you are leading at Hastings with your painting all morning and fair mothers and children to look at the rest of the day. You will bring still better news, I hope, when you come to town. That about Nannie was especially gratifying to me, because in her letter, lively as it was, there were phrases that gave me rather a melancholy notion of her health.
The insects can be waited for a long while, as they will keep, and Mr. Lewes is not tempted to microscopy just now. I am terribly frightened about Mrs. W. 156 She wrote to me telling me that we were sure to suit each other, neither of us holding the opinions of the "moutons de Panurge." 157 Nothing could have been more decisive of the opposite prospect to me. If there is one attitude more odious than any other of the many attitudes of "Knowingness" it is that air of lofty superiority to the vulgar. However, she will soon find out that I am a very common-place woman.
I have been fasting so long from all news about you, that I shall have a voracious appetite for all you can tell of these six months.
Our boy, who brightens up at your name, is as good or better than ever, only his beard grows with a vicious rapidity -- the downy time forever gone!
George shares all my loves and cares, you know -- and not least those which concern you and the dear Doctor -- our image of human uprightness, bodily and spiritual.
Ever yours
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 May 1863, 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/93026