GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 12 August 1861
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 12 August 1861
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 12 August 1861
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1861-08-12
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 12 August 1861
MS: Yale. Extract published: Cross, II, 313.
Blandford Square, | N.W.
August 12. 61.
Dear Sara
Mrs. Bodichon had heard (through the Carters) of the vacant rooms, before I saw her in sufficient privacy to mention the matter. She is more likely than any one else to find out the right persons for that cheap and pleasant accommodation, and she promises to bear it in mind -- a promise which means more with her than with the common run of people.
The regret I have at your leaving the pretty cottage which I knew, to go to one which I don't know, 829 is softened by the reflection that Cara and Mr. Bray will be the happier for reducing their expenses within the needful limit.
That doctrine which we accept rather loftily as a commonplace when we are quite young -- namely, that our happiness lies entirely within, in our own mental and bodily state which determines for us the influence of everything outward -- becomes a daily lesson to be learned, and learned with much stumbling, as we get older. And until we know our friends' private thoughts and emotions we hardly know what to grieve or rejoice over for them.
London is very hot and close; but it is a satisfaction to know that this must be a corn-favouring time. Don't infer a revolution in my character from the appearance of my handwriting. I am writing with my paper on my knee, for the sake of sitting at the open window. With best love to all
Ever thine
Pollian.
MS: Yale. Extract published: Cross, II, 313.
Blandford Square, | N.W.
August 12. 61.
Dear Sara
Mrs. Bodichon had heard (through the Carters) of the vacant rooms, before I saw her in sufficient privacy to mention the matter. She is more likely than any one else to find out the right persons for that cheap and pleasant accommodation, and she promises to bear it in mind -- a promise which means more with her than with the common run of people.
The regret I have at your leaving the pretty cottage which I knew, to go to one which I don't know, 829 is softened by the reflection that Cara and Mr. Bray will be the happier for reducing their expenses within the needful limit.
That doctrine which we accept rather loftily as a commonplace when we are quite young -- namely, that our happiness lies entirely within, in our own mental and bodily state which determines for us the influence of everything outward -- becomes a daily lesson to be learned, and learned with much stumbling, as we get older. And until we know our friends' private thoughts and emotions we hardly know what to grieve or rejoice over for them.
London is very hot and close; but it is a satisfaction to know that this must be a corn-favouring time. Don't infer a revolution in my character from the appearance of my handwriting. I am writing with my paper on my knee, for the sake of sitting at the open window. With best love to all
Ever thine
Pollian.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 12 August 1861, 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/93985