GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Harrogate, 15 September 1864
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Harrogate, 15 September 1864
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Harrogate, 15 September 1864
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1864-09-15
Place
Harrogate
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Harrogate, 15 September 1864
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, II, 388.
Benwell House | Harrogate | September 15. 1864.
Dear Sara
You see, the trouble you so kindly took for us was not in vain. We journeyed hither on Tuesday, and found the place quite as pretty as we expected. Empty lodgings were not abundant on a first evening's observation, so we perhaps too hastily "took up" with these. 285 However we seem to have alighted on nice clean simple folk, who make us comfortable enough. Our situation, on the rise of ground near the Sulphur Well, going towards Miss Cushman's lodgings (not alas! vacant) is far from equal to that of your Diamond House. But the great merit of Harrogate is, that one is everywhere close to lovely open walks. I think I saw Mrs. Higginson 286 at the window, the evening of our arrival -- at least it was a lady with a head and profile strongly resembling Harriet Martineau's, though, so fallacious is human argument, to you who know the facts, that very resemblance may prove that the face was not Mrs. Higginson's.
Your plan has been a delightful reference for Mr. Lewes, who takes it out of his pocket every time we walk. At present, of course, there is not much improvement in health to be boasted of, but we hope that the delicious bracing air -- and also the chalybeate waters, 287 which have not yet been tried -- will not be without good effect. The journey was long and made a day of irregularity in diet etc. that was sure to upset any one in so delicate a condition as George's. How hideous those towns of Holbeck and Wakefield are! It is difficult to keep up one's faith in a millennium within sight of this modern civilization which consists in "development of industries." Egypt and her big calm gods seems quite as good. We both thank you, dear Sara, for helping us hither.
Ever your loving
Pollian.
You know, I shall be glad to learn anything about the Coventry Home.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, II, 388.
Benwell House | Harrogate | September 15. 1864.
Dear Sara
You see, the trouble you so kindly took for us was not in vain. We journeyed hither on Tuesday, and found the place quite as pretty as we expected. Empty lodgings were not abundant on a first evening's observation, so we perhaps too hastily "took up" with these. 285 However we seem to have alighted on nice clean simple folk, who make us comfortable enough. Our situation, on the rise of ground near the Sulphur Well, going towards Miss Cushman's lodgings (not alas! vacant) is far from equal to that of your Diamond House. But the great merit of Harrogate is, that one is everywhere close to lovely open walks. I think I saw Mrs. Higginson 286 at the window, the evening of our arrival -- at least it was a lady with a head and profile strongly resembling Harriet Martineau's, though, so fallacious is human argument, to you who know the facts, that very resemblance may prove that the face was not Mrs. Higginson's.
Your plan has been a delightful reference for Mr. Lewes, who takes it out of his pocket every time we walk. At present, of course, there is not much improvement in health to be boasted of, but we hope that the delicious bracing air -- and also the chalybeate waters, 287 which have not yet been tried -- will not be without good effect. The journey was long and made a day of irregularity in diet etc. that was sure to upset any one in so delicate a condition as George's. How hideous those towns of Holbeck and Wakefield are! It is difficult to keep up one's faith in a millennium within sight of this modern civilization which consists in "development of industries." Egypt and her big calm gods seems quite as good. We both thank you, dear Sara, for helping us hither.
Ever your loving
Pollian.
You know, I shall be glad to learn anything about the Coventry Home.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Harrogate, 15 September 1864, 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/93929