GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 13 November [1860]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 13 November [1860]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 13 November [1860]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1860-11-13
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 13 November [1860]
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1860. Extracts published: Cross, II, 278-279.
Harewood Square | Tuesday, November 13.
Dear Sara
I understand your paradox of "expecting disappointment," for that is the only form of hope with which I am familiar. But drive away the expectation if you can, for I don't see how it is possible that I should not be in London when you come, if I am extant at all; and you must not sit down with any reasons for not coming, since you need the change for health's sake. I can't help wishing that I could offer, and that you could find it altogether agreeable to accept, a thorough home with us during your stay. But Mr. Lewes find it so incompatible with the quiet prosecution of his work to have any visitor staying in the house, that I could not urge it in justice either to him or to my friend. The prohibition extends to every one, and has no special relation to you. He will hear of no one for more than one night, except my niece Emily, whom I hope to have for a week during these Christmas holidays. I myself should feel the additional excitement of a resident visitor a thing to be avoided in the case of every one who was not in a peculiar sense a friend; but it would be very sweet to me to show perfect hospitality to any one of the small number who could come under that class.
I should like, for your sake, that you should rather see us in our own house than in this; for I fear your carrying away a general sense of yellow in connection with us -- and I am sure that is enough to set you against the thought of us. There are some staring yellow curtains which you will hardly help blending with your impression of our moral sentiments. In our own drawing room, I mean to have a paradise of greenness.
I wish you could try and read Herbert Spencer's book 661 before you come, because I shall ask him to meet you, and the knowledge of what it contains would add to the pleasure of conversation with him. I think the first part superior to anything he has done before, and he says he feels the same himself: it is less barely intellectual -- the considerations are larger.
Talking of books, I have lately reread your "Thoughts" from the beginning of the "Psychical Essence of Christianity" to the end of the Hist[ory] of Philosophy, and I feel my original impression confirmed that the "Psychical Essence" and the "General Review of the Christian System" are the most valuable portions. I think you once expressed your regret that I did not understand the analogy you traced between Feuerbach's theory and Spencer's. I don't know what gave you that impression, for I never said so. I see your meaning distinctly, in that parallel. If you referred to something in Mr. Lewes's letter, let me say once for all that you must not impute my opinions to him, nor vice versa. The intense happiness of our union is derived in a high degree from the perfect freedom with which we each follow and declare our own impressions. In this respect I know no man so great as he -- that difference of opinion rouses no egoistic irritation in him, and that he is ready to admit that another's argument is the stronger, the moment his intellect recognizes it.
Thank Mr. Bray for his letter on the spirit-rapping. I am glad to see him contributing his quota to the exposure of that odious trickery. Mr. Lewes lately wrote an article ("Seeing is believing") in Blackwood 662 on the subject. I hope Mr. Bray knows that Sir David Brewster, in the "Times" 663 long ago, contradicted the report that he gave his adhesion to Mr. Home and his spirits.
It was not head-ache that I was suffering from when Mr. Bray called, but extreme languor and unbroken fatigue from morning to night -- a state which is always accompanied in me psychically by utter self-distrust and despair of ever being equal to the demands of life. But I went to Erasmus Wilson after he left, and between bluepill and hydrochloric acid I find myself getting stronger in body and mind.
We should be very pleased to hear some news of Mr. and Mrs. Call. I feel their removal from town quite a loss to us. Love to Cara and thanks for the "Physiology."
Ever yours
Pollian.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1860. Extracts published: Cross, II, 278-279.
Harewood Square | Tuesday, November 13.
Dear Sara
I understand your paradox of "expecting disappointment," for that is the only form of hope with which I am familiar. But drive away the expectation if you can, for I don't see how it is possible that I should not be in London when you come, if I am extant at all; and you must not sit down with any reasons for not coming, since you need the change for health's sake. I can't help wishing that I could offer, and that you could find it altogether agreeable to accept, a thorough home with us during your stay. But Mr. Lewes find it so incompatible with the quiet prosecution of his work to have any visitor staying in the house, that I could not urge it in justice either to him or to my friend. The prohibition extends to every one, and has no special relation to you. He will hear of no one for more than one night, except my niece Emily, whom I hope to have for a week during these Christmas holidays. I myself should feel the additional excitement of a resident visitor a thing to be avoided in the case of every one who was not in a peculiar sense a friend; but it would be very sweet to me to show perfect hospitality to any one of the small number who could come under that class.
I should like, for your sake, that you should rather see us in our own house than in this; for I fear your carrying away a general sense of yellow in connection with us -- and I am sure that is enough to set you against the thought of us. There are some staring yellow curtains which you will hardly help blending with your impression of our moral sentiments. In our own drawing room, I mean to have a paradise of greenness.
I wish you could try and read Herbert Spencer's book 661 before you come, because I shall ask him to meet you, and the knowledge of what it contains would add to the pleasure of conversation with him. I think the first part superior to anything he has done before, and he says he feels the same himself: it is less barely intellectual -- the considerations are larger.
Talking of books, I have lately reread your "Thoughts" from the beginning of the "Psychical Essence of Christianity" to the end of the Hist[ory] of Philosophy, and I feel my original impression confirmed that the "Psychical Essence" and the "General Review of the Christian System" are the most valuable portions. I think you once expressed your regret that I did not understand the analogy you traced between Feuerbach's theory and Spencer's. I don't know what gave you that impression, for I never said so. I see your meaning distinctly, in that parallel. If you referred to something in Mr. Lewes's letter, let me say once for all that you must not impute my opinions to him, nor vice versa. The intense happiness of our union is derived in a high degree from the perfect freedom with which we each follow and declare our own impressions. In this respect I know no man so great as he -- that difference of opinion rouses no egoistic irritation in him, and that he is ready to admit that another's argument is the stronger, the moment his intellect recognizes it.
Thank Mr. Bray for his letter on the spirit-rapping. I am glad to see him contributing his quota to the exposure of that odious trickery. Mr. Lewes lately wrote an article ("Seeing is believing") in Blackwood 662 on the subject. I hope Mr. Bray knows that Sir David Brewster, in the "Times" 663 long ago, contradicted the report that he gave his adhesion to Mr. Home and his spirits.
It was not head-ache that I was suffering from when Mr. Bray called, but extreme languor and unbroken fatigue from morning to night -- a state which is always accompanied in me psychically by utter self-distrust and despair of ever being equal to the demands of life. But I went to Erasmus Wilson after he left, and between bluepill and hydrochloric acid I find myself getting stronger in body and mind.
We should be very pleased to hear some news of Mr. and Mrs. Call. I feel their removal from town quite a loss to us. Love to Cara and thanks for the "Physiology."
Ever yours
Pollian.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 13 November [1860], 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/93992