GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 13 May [1867]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 13 May [1867]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 13 May [1867]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1867-05-13
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 13 May [1867]
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, III, 17-18.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
May 13.
Dear Sara
I like to think of you all resting deliciously at Shanklin in this spring time -- Cara and Mr. Bray with no house on their minds and all three of you enjoying "the fine nature," as our hostess at Scilly used to say. I cannot sit with you on the sands, but I scribble a little note which I hope will seem like a morning smile and greeting.
Mr. and Mrs. Call dined with us on Saturday. I fear they were neither of them well, and found it an exertion to come to us amongst other friends. But to us it was a pleasure to see them again; they are both, I think, all the more loveable for the years, and have not been injured (morally) by the worrying cares which have unhappily fallen to them.
Yesterday, we went to the second of a course of lectures which Dr. Congreve is delivering on Positivism, in Bouverie Street. At the first lecture, on the 5th there was a considerable audience -- about 75, chiefly men -- of various ranks, from lords and M.P.'s downwards, or upwards, for what is called social distinction seems to be in a shifting condition just now. Yesterday the wet weather doubtless helped to reduce the audience, still, it was good. Curiosity brings some, interest in the subject others, and the rest go with the wish to express adhesion more or less thorough. It remains to be seen whether Dr. Congreve's mode of lecturing will secure a continuous attendance on the part of experimental comers. 627 But he has now a great opportunity.
You remember the brilliantly healthful appearance of my dear good friend Madame Bodichon. She has had a severe illness -- an attack of Algerian fever, and is still in a very delicate state. But she has been able to get as near her English home as St. Cloud where she is staying in careful quiet, with Miss Parkes as her guardian angel.
I am afraid you have ceased to care much about pictures, else I should wish that you could see the exhibition of historical portraits at Kensington. It is really worth a little fatigue to see the English of past generations in their habit as they lived -- especially when Gainsborough and
Sir Joshua are the painters. But even Sir Godfrey Kneller delights me occasionally with a finely conceived portrait carefully painted. There is an unforgettable portrait of Newton by him. I think Cara would like to see this exhibition very much if she happens to be in town again before it closes. We have been to see nothing else yet, and have been keeping ourselves as quiet as possible. With best love to all
Ever yours
Pollian.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, III, 17-18.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
May 13.
Dear Sara
I like to think of you all resting deliciously at Shanklin in this spring time -- Cara and Mr. Bray with no house on their minds and all three of you enjoying "the fine nature," as our hostess at Scilly used to say. I cannot sit with you on the sands, but I scribble a little note which I hope will seem like a morning smile and greeting.
Mr. and Mrs. Call dined with us on Saturday. I fear they were neither of them well, and found it an exertion to come to us amongst other friends. But to us it was a pleasure to see them again; they are both, I think, all the more loveable for the years, and have not been injured (morally) by the worrying cares which have unhappily fallen to them.
Yesterday, we went to the second of a course of lectures which Dr. Congreve is delivering on Positivism, in Bouverie Street. At the first lecture, on the 5th there was a considerable audience -- about 75, chiefly men -- of various ranks, from lords and M.P.'s downwards, or upwards, for what is called social distinction seems to be in a shifting condition just now. Yesterday the wet weather doubtless helped to reduce the audience, still, it was good. Curiosity brings some, interest in the subject others, and the rest go with the wish to express adhesion more or less thorough. It remains to be seen whether Dr. Congreve's mode of lecturing will secure a continuous attendance on the part of experimental comers. 627 But he has now a great opportunity.
You remember the brilliantly healthful appearance of my dear good friend Madame Bodichon. She has had a severe illness -- an attack of Algerian fever, and is still in a very delicate state. But she has been able to get as near her English home as St. Cloud where she is staying in careful quiet, with Miss Parkes as her guardian angel.
I am afraid you have ceased to care much about pictures, else I should wish that you could see the exhibition of historical portraits at Kensington. It is really worth a little fatigue to see the English of past generations in their habit as they lived -- especially when Gainsborough and
Sir Joshua are the painters. But even Sir Godfrey Kneller delights me occasionally with a finely conceived portrait carefully painted. There is an unforgettable portrait of Newton by him. I think Cara would like to see this exhibition very much if she happens to be in town again before it closes. We have been to see nothing else yet, and have been keeping ourselves as quiet as possible. With best love to all
Ever yours
Pollian.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 13 May [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/93991