GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 30 March 1876
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 30 March 1876
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 30 March 1876
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1876-03-30
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 30 March 1876
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Extracts published: Cross, III, 275-276.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
March 30. 76.
My dear Barbara
Your letter was a most welcome assurance that no evil had befallen you on the voyage which was made in what to us was horribly blustering weather. I had said to Mr. Lewes, [She will perhaps send me a post card by and by] -- so that your letter with more details than a card could have carried, was doubly acceptable as something better than what I had counted on.
I am delighted to know that nature and the weather are enjoyable to you and your companions altogether sympathetic, still more that the Doctor was glad to receive you all and that your object in taking the journey is likely to be answered. Also, I am well pleased that Deronda touches you. I wanted you to prefer the chapter 435 about Mirah's finding, and I hope you will also like her history in Part III which has just been published.
We want very much to get away, but I fear we shall hardly be able to start till the end of May. At present we think of the Maritime Alps as a destination for the warm summer, if we have such a season this year, but we shall wander a little on our way thither and not feel bound to accomplish anything in particular. Meanwhile we are hearing some nice music occasionally, and we are going to see Tennyson's Play which is to be given on the 15th. 436 The occasion will be very interesting and I should be sorry to miss it.
I have not seen or heard anything of Miss Marks since you left. I trust that all is going on well with her. 437 Apropos of her and all other subjects, will you kindly remember that we shall be out of reach of ordinary letters after May?
We have been getting a little refreshment from two flights between Sundays to Weybridge, where Mr. and Mrs. Hall lent us their house and servants. But we have had the good a little drained from us by going out to dinner two days in succession. At Sir James Paget's I was much interested to find that a gentle-looking, clear-eyed, neatly-made man was Sir Garnet Wolseley and I had some talk with him which quite confirmed the impression of him as one of those men who have a power of command by dint of their sweet temper, calm demeanour and unswerving resolution. The next subject that has filled our chat lately has been the Blue Book on Vivisection, which you would like to look into. 438 There is a great deal of matter for reflection in the evidence on the subject, and some good points have been lately put in print and conversation that I should like to tell you of if I had time. Prof. Clifford told us the other Sunday that Huxley complained of his sufferings from "the profligate lying of virtuous women." 439 I am scribbling at the fag end of the day, being short of time not so much because of work as because of my feebleness which makes me incapable of getting through it.
Best, affectionate remembrances to your sister and Miss Blythe. And kind regards to the Doctor from both of us. George unites in love to you. I hope we shall hear of your being safe in England before we set off.
Yours always
Marian.
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Extracts published: Cross, III, 275-276.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
March 30. 76.
My dear Barbara
Your letter was a most welcome assurance that no evil had befallen you on the voyage which was made in what to us was horribly blustering weather. I had said to Mr. Lewes, [She will perhaps send me a post card by and by] -- so that your letter with more details than a card could have carried, was doubly acceptable as something better than what I had counted on.
I am delighted to know that nature and the weather are enjoyable to you and your companions altogether sympathetic, still more that the Doctor was glad to receive you all and that your object in taking the journey is likely to be answered. Also, I am well pleased that Deronda touches you. I wanted you to prefer the chapter 435 about Mirah's finding, and I hope you will also like her history in Part III which has just been published.
We want very much to get away, but I fear we shall hardly be able to start till the end of May. At present we think of the Maritime Alps as a destination for the warm summer, if we have such a season this year, but we shall wander a little on our way thither and not feel bound to accomplish anything in particular. Meanwhile we are hearing some nice music occasionally, and we are going to see Tennyson's Play which is to be given on the 15th. 436 The occasion will be very interesting and I should be sorry to miss it.
I have not seen or heard anything of Miss Marks since you left. I trust that all is going on well with her. 437 Apropos of her and all other subjects, will you kindly remember that we shall be out of reach of ordinary letters after May?
We have been getting a little refreshment from two flights between Sundays to Weybridge, where Mr. and Mrs. Hall lent us their house and servants. But we have had the good a little drained from us by going out to dinner two days in succession. At Sir James Paget's I was much interested to find that a gentle-looking, clear-eyed, neatly-made man was Sir Garnet Wolseley and I had some talk with him which quite confirmed the impression of him as one of those men who have a power of command by dint of their sweet temper, calm demeanour and unswerving resolution. The next subject that has filled our chat lately has been the Blue Book on Vivisection, which you would like to look into. 438 There is a great deal of matter for reflection in the evidence on the subject, and some good points have been lately put in print and conversation that I should like to tell you of if I had time. Prof. Clifford told us the other Sunday that Huxley complained of his sufferings from "the profligate lying of virtuous women." 439 I am scribbling at the fag end of the day, being short of time not so much because of work as because of my feebleness which makes me incapable of getting through it.
Best, affectionate remembrances to your sister and Miss Blythe. And kind regards to the Doctor from both of us. George unites in love to you. I hope we shall hear of your being safe in England before we set off.
Yours always
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 30 March 1876, 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/93059