GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 5 February 1880
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 5 February 1880
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 5 February 1880
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1880-02-05
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 5 February 1880
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory | 21 North Bank | February 5. 80.
My dear Barbara
I think you are happy not to be obliged to come to London where our climate is hideous, so for your sake I will not say that I regret my loss in not seeing you.
I should like very much to make Miss North's 368 acquaintance and I will write to Miss Ewart, since you think that she would be kind enough to bring her.
I saw all about Miss Scott's success 369 in the Times and was the more interested in it because Miss Marks had described her to me.
That failure of the Kinder-garten plan at Portsmouth made me very sorry for our sweet little friend. 370 It seemed to be everything one could desire for her sister's well-being so far as external effort could secure it.
I know how you feel the successive deaths of aged relatives -- changing the world for you and making it less and less like what it was in your earlier time, especially as to remaining associations with your Father. I do not know who is your Aunt Joanna: I suppose Mrs. Bonham Carter. 371
I have not yet seen Bessie. I hope she does not regard me as neglectful in not writing to ask her to come and see me. I don't know her address, and even if I did, I have made it a system not to write notes of invitation to my friends. One who has been to see me carries a message to another, and in this way they come gradually. So much of my time is taken up in correspondence that I cannot write gratuitous notes.
If you had come to town you would have liked to see the drawings at the Grosvenor Gallery, and the Old Masters at the Academy but perhaps you may yet come before they are removed.
It is some comfort to think that you and others in the country have been enjoying beautiful days when we have been wrapt in a darkness that not only might be but was felt. Keep getting better and believe ever in
Your faithfully loving
Marian.
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory | 21 North Bank | February 5. 80.
My dear Barbara
I think you are happy not to be obliged to come to London where our climate is hideous, so for your sake I will not say that I regret my loss in not seeing you.
I should like very much to make Miss North's 368 acquaintance and I will write to Miss Ewart, since you think that she would be kind enough to bring her.
I saw all about Miss Scott's success 369 in the Times and was the more interested in it because Miss Marks had described her to me.
That failure of the Kinder-garten plan at Portsmouth made me very sorry for our sweet little friend. 370 It seemed to be everything one could desire for her sister's well-being so far as external effort could secure it.
I know how you feel the successive deaths of aged relatives -- changing the world for you and making it less and less like what it was in your earlier time, especially as to remaining associations with your Father. I do not know who is your Aunt Joanna: I suppose Mrs. Bonham Carter. 371
I have not yet seen Bessie. I hope she does not regard me as neglectful in not writing to ask her to come and see me. I don't know her address, and even if I did, I have made it a system not to write notes of invitation to my friends. One who has been to see me carries a message to another, and in this way they come gradually. So much of my time is taken up in correspondence that I cannot write gratuitous notes.
If you had come to town you would have liked to see the drawings at the Grosvenor Gallery, and the Old Masters at the Academy but perhaps you may yet come before they are removed.
It is some comfort to think that you and others in the country have been enjoying beautiful days when we have been wrapt in a darkness that not only might be but was felt. Keep getting better and believe ever in
Your faithfully loving
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 5 February 1880, 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/93063