GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, [October 1851]
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, [October 1851]
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, [October 1851]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray
Date(s)
- 1851-10
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, [October 1851]
MS: Benjamin Collection, Columbia. Hitherto unpublished.
Strand.
Of all things I wanted a note from you, dear Cara. Bless you for thinking of me and saying kind things just when I need them. I had a sight of the sky yesterday at Greenwich Park -- that too was cheering. On the whole I have everything -- that is -- every good thing compatible with an ill-conditioned soul and body. Dame Fortune is kinder to me than Dame Nature. Fortune does her part of the work as well as she can, seeing that she is in one perpetual wrestle with said step-dame Nature.
I have no courage to write much unless I am written to. I soon begin to think that there are plenty of other correspondents more interesting -- so if you all want to hear from me you know the conditions.
Mrs. Chapman is out still. Mr. Neuberg 1044 is here and a Mr. Birch is coming -- men of literary tastes and fat purses both. But alas! our subscription list has stood for the last week at Revd. F. J. Foxton.
Mr. Chapman is writing today to Mr. Bray I think telling him news that will a little surprize him.
My table is covered with books -- all to be digested by the editorial maw -- I foresee terribly hard work for the next 6 weeks. I gave Mr. C. your note to read. He keeps quoting your question "are they kind to you"? They outer barbarians he says.
I hope you look forward to your visitors 1045 with resignation at least. I fear I shall hardly be able to give myself any holiday before Christmas so I shall not tax your love, as I would willingly do.
Thine ever
Marian.
I am pronouncing a Commination on all dressmakers -- cursed be they in their needles and pins, cursed in their hooks and buttons, whereby you may know that my gowns all pinch and pull me.
MS: Benjamin Collection, Columbia. Hitherto unpublished.
Strand.
Of all things I wanted a note from you, dear Cara. Bless you for thinking of me and saying kind things just when I need them. I had a sight of the sky yesterday at Greenwich Park -- that too was cheering. On the whole I have everything -- that is -- every good thing compatible with an ill-conditioned soul and body. Dame Fortune is kinder to me than Dame Nature. Fortune does her part of the work as well as she can, seeing that she is in one perpetual wrestle with said step-dame Nature.
I have no courage to write much unless I am written to. I soon begin to think that there are plenty of other correspondents more interesting -- so if you all want to hear from me you know the conditions.
Mrs. Chapman is out still. Mr. Neuberg 1044 is here and a Mr. Birch is coming -- men of literary tastes and fat purses both. But alas! our subscription list has stood for the last week at Revd. F. J. Foxton.
Mr. Chapman is writing today to Mr. Bray I think telling him news that will a little surprize him.
My table is covered with books -- all to be digested by the editorial maw -- I foresee terribly hard work for the next 6 weeks. I gave Mr. C. your note to read. He keeps quoting your question "are they kind to you"? They outer barbarians he says.
I hope you look forward to your visitors 1045 with resignation at least. I fear I shall hardly be able to give myself any holiday before Christmas so I shall not tax your love, as I would willingly do.
Thine ever
Marian.
I am pronouncing a Commination on all dressmakers -- cursed be they in their needles and pins, cursed in their hooks and buttons, whereby you may know that my gowns all pinch and pull me.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, [October 1851], 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/93260