GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 26 November 1862
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 26 November 1862
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 26 November 1862
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1862-11-26
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 26 November 1862
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Extracts published: Cross, II, 343-344.
Blandford Sq. | November 26. 62.
Dear Barbara
First, thanks for the note from Marseilles. Since I had not the parting kiss in a regular way I was glad to have it in the commuted form of that pretty billet -- especially glad to know that your journey had not been too hurried.
Next, about your letter of this morning. I don't see what we can do towards making ourselves agreeable or useful to Mr. Allingham 115 just yet, but when we begin to receive visitors again, we will try and ask him to come on an evening when he will meet somebody worth talking to. Mr. Lewes has taken down his address and will write to him on the strength of your letter.
Miss Allen sat an hour with me a week ago, and I hope she will find it pleasant to come and speak to us or ask us for any book we can give her. I have said all I can to convince her of what is the truth -- that I like to see her very much.
Pray don't ever ask me again not to rob a man of his religious belief, as if you thought my mind tended towards such robbery. I have too profound a conviction of the efficacy that lies in all sincere faith, and the spiritual blight that comes with No-faith, to have any negative propagandism in me. In fact, I have very little sympathy with Freethinkers as a class, and have lost all interest in mere antagonism to religious doctrines. I care only to know, if possible, the lasting meaning that lies in all religious doctrine from the beginning till now.
That speech of Carlyle's, 116 which sounds so odious must, I think, have been provoked by something in the manner of the statement to which it came as an answer -- else it would hurt me very much that he should have uttered it.
Our big boy is gone to Mrs. P. Taylor's gathering to-night. He has been telling us a story of an old supplementary clerk at the P.O. who is called "maid of all work" in the Correspondence Branch. The waiter at the dining room offered him the newspaper; whereupon he replied, "I didn't come 'ere to 'ear the news. I came to heat!" -- It was the boy's twentieth birthday on Monday -- a very happy date to us, for we think he gets better with the years. He was rather discontented that he did not say goodby to you.
You left a handkerchief at our house. I will take care of it till next summer. I look forward with some longing to that time when I shall have lightened my soul of one chief thing I wanted to do, and be freer to think and feel about other people's work. We shall see you oftener, I hope, and have a great deal more talk than ever we have had before to make amends for our stinted enjoyment of you this summer.
We are very well and unspeakably happy. I know you care to think of other people's happiness -- therefore I tell you such private news. George is plunged in dingy books of science -- sends his loving remembrances to you both, nevertheless. God bless you, dear Barbara. You are very precious to us.
Ever yours
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Extracts published: Cross, II, 343-344.
Blandford Sq. | November 26. 62.
Dear Barbara
First, thanks for the note from Marseilles. Since I had not the parting kiss in a regular way I was glad to have it in the commuted form of that pretty billet -- especially glad to know that your journey had not been too hurried.
Next, about your letter of this morning. I don't see what we can do towards making ourselves agreeable or useful to Mr. Allingham 115 just yet, but when we begin to receive visitors again, we will try and ask him to come on an evening when he will meet somebody worth talking to. Mr. Lewes has taken down his address and will write to him on the strength of your letter.
Miss Allen sat an hour with me a week ago, and I hope she will find it pleasant to come and speak to us or ask us for any book we can give her. I have said all I can to convince her of what is the truth -- that I like to see her very much.
Pray don't ever ask me again not to rob a man of his religious belief, as if you thought my mind tended towards such robbery. I have too profound a conviction of the efficacy that lies in all sincere faith, and the spiritual blight that comes with No-faith, to have any negative propagandism in me. In fact, I have very little sympathy with Freethinkers as a class, and have lost all interest in mere antagonism to religious doctrines. I care only to know, if possible, the lasting meaning that lies in all religious doctrine from the beginning till now.
That speech of Carlyle's, 116 which sounds so odious must, I think, have been provoked by something in the manner of the statement to which it came as an answer -- else it would hurt me very much that he should have uttered it.
Our big boy is gone to Mrs. P. Taylor's gathering to-night. He has been telling us a story of an old supplementary clerk at the P.O. who is called "maid of all work" in the Correspondence Branch. The waiter at the dining room offered him the newspaper; whereupon he replied, "I didn't come 'ere to 'ear the news. I came to heat!" -- It was the boy's twentieth birthday on Monday -- a very happy date to us, for we think he gets better with the years. He was rather discontented that he did not say goodby to you.
You left a handkerchief at our house. I will take care of it till next summer. I look forward with some longing to that time when I shall have lightened my soul of one chief thing I wanted to do, and be freer to think and feel about other people's work. We shall see you oftener, I hope, and have a great deal more talk than ever we have had before to make amends for our stinted enjoyment of you this summer.
We are very well and unspeakably happy. I know you care to think of other people's happiness -- therefore I tell you such private news. George is plunged in dingy books of science -- sends his loving remembrances to you both, nevertheless. God bless you, dear Barbara. You are very precious to us.
Ever yours
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 26 November 1862, 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/93053