GE to Maria [Mrs. Richard] Congreve, London, 28 July 1867
Title
GE to Maria [Mrs. Richard] Congreve, London, 28 July 1867
Title
GE to Maria [Mrs. Richard] Congreve, London, 28 July 1867
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Maria [Mrs. Richard] Congreve
Date(s)
- 1867-07-28
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Maria [Mrs. Richard] Congreve, London, 28 July 1867
Text: Cross, III, 19-20.
Again we take flight! To North Germany this time, and chiefly to Dresden, where we shall be accessible through the Poste Restante. I am ashamed of saying anything about our health -- we are both "objects" for compassion or contempt, according to the disposition of the subject who may contemplate us.
Mr Beesley 655 (I think it was he) sent us Dr Congreve's pamphlet 656 last night, and I read it aloud to George. We both felt a cordial satisfaction in it. We have been a good deal beset by little engagements with friends and acquaintances lately, and these, with the preparations for our journey, have been rather too much for me. Mr Lewes is acting on the advice of Sir Henry Holland in giving up zoologising for the present, because it obliges him to hang down his head. That is the reason we go inland, and not to the coast, as I think I hinted to you that we expected to do.
You are sympathetic enough to be glad to hear that we have had thoroughly cheerful and satisfactory letters from both our boys in Natal. They are established in their purchased farm, and are very happy together in their work. Impossible for mortals to have less trouble than we. I should have written to you earlier this week -- for we start tomorrow -- but that I have been laid prostrate with crushing headache one half of my time, and always going out or seeing some one the other half.
Farewell, dear. Don't write unless you have a real desire to gossip with me a little about yourself and our mutual friends. You know I always like to have news of you, but I shall not think it unkind -- I shall only think you have other things to do -- if you are silent.
Text: Cross, III, 19-20.
Again we take flight! To North Germany this time, and chiefly to Dresden, where we shall be accessible through the Poste Restante. I am ashamed of saying anything about our health -- we are both "objects" for compassion or contempt, according to the disposition of the subject who may contemplate us.
Mr Beesley 655 (I think it was he) sent us Dr Congreve's pamphlet 656 last night, and I read it aloud to George. We both felt a cordial satisfaction in it. We have been a good deal beset by little engagements with friends and acquaintances lately, and these, with the preparations for our journey, have been rather too much for me. Mr Lewes is acting on the advice of Sir Henry Holland in giving up zoologising for the present, because it obliges him to hang down his head. That is the reason we go inland, and not to the coast, as I think I hinted to you that we expected to do.
You are sympathetic enough to be glad to hear that we have had thoroughly cheerful and satisfactory letters from both our boys in Natal. They are established in their purchased farm, and are very happy together in their work. Impossible for mortals to have less trouble than we. I should have written to you earlier this week -- for we start tomorrow -- but that I have been laid prostrate with crushing headache one half of my time, and always going out or seeing some one the other half.
Farewell, dear. Don't write unless you have a real desire to gossip with me a little about yourself and our mutual friends. You know I always like to have news of you, but I shall not think it unkind -- I shall only think you have other things to do -- if you are silent.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Maria [Mrs. Richard] Congreve, London, 28 July 1867, 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/93647