GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 1 August 1862
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 1 August 1862
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 1 August 1862
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1862-08-01
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 1 August 1862
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Blandford Sq. | August 1. 62.
Dear Sara
I ought to have answered your kind inquiries before, since I can answer them joyfully. I have had the most promising letters every day from the first arrival of Mr. Lewes at Spa, and now the blessed end of the fortnight is come, and he is to be at home again tomorrow at eight, "feeling strong," he tells me. Spa has proved just the right sort of place -- with a pretty country and pleasant idleness in the way of occupation, to prevent invalids from wishing for books or work. "Healthful play" is the business of the place. Mr. Lewes found Bulwer there, and the companionship has been agreeable. The weather must make all life away from towns paradisaic, and to me, you may imagine, it is rather difficult to understand how you can want to travel away from leisure and green fields.
Have you noticed in the Times -- what has been a sad grief to the Congreves lately -- the death (by suicide) of Mr. Winstanley, 99 formerly one of Mr. Congreve's pupils -- a man of wealth thoroughly attached to Comte's system of philosophy and religion? On many grounds it is a trial for the Congreves. He had always been subject to fits of melancholy. With best love to all
Ever yours
Pollian.
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Blandford Sq. | August 1. 62.
Dear Sara
I ought to have answered your kind inquiries before, since I can answer them joyfully. I have had the most promising letters every day from the first arrival of Mr. Lewes at Spa, and now the blessed end of the fortnight is come, and he is to be at home again tomorrow at eight, "feeling strong," he tells me. Spa has proved just the right sort of place -- with a pretty country and pleasant idleness in the way of occupation, to prevent invalids from wishing for books or work. "Healthful play" is the business of the place. Mr. Lewes found Bulwer there, and the companionship has been agreeable. The weather must make all life away from towns paradisaic, and to me, you may imagine, it is rather difficult to understand how you can want to travel away from leisure and green fields.
Have you noticed in the Times -- what has been a sad grief to the Congreves lately -- the death (by suicide) of Mr. Winstanley, 99 formerly one of Mr. Congreve's pupils -- a man of wealth thoroughly attached to Comte's system of philosophy and religion? On many grounds it is a trial for the Congreves. He had always been subject to fits of melancholy. With best love to all
Ever yours
Pollian.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 1 August 1862, 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/93980