GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 16 November 1877
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 16 November 1877
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 16 November 1877
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1877-11-16
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 16 November 1877
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, III, 320-322.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
November 16. 77.
My dear Sara
Having a more secure freedom than I may have next week, I satisfy my eagerness to tell you that I am longing for the news of you which you have accustomed me to trust in as sure to come at this time of the year. You will give me, will you not? -- something more than an affectionate greeting. You will tell me how and where you have been and what is the actual state of your health and spirits -- whether you can still interest yourself in writing on great subjects without too much fatigue, and what companionship is now the most precious to you.
Jot me down a few particulars at a time, so that the letter may not be too great a bore to you, and be assured that the most trivial jotting will have interest for me.
We returned from our country home (with which we are much in love) at the beginning of this month, leaving it earlier than we wished because of the need to get workmen into it. Our bit of Surrey has the beauties of Scotland wedded to those of Warwickshire, and in front of our hill we have a valley which would be equal to what one sees from Richmond Hill -- if the river were not wanting. Water is the one deficiency.
During the last two months of our stay there I was conscious of more health and strength than I have known for several years. Imagine me playing at lawn tennis by the hour together!
The other day 763 we went to see Mr. and Mrs. Call for the first time since their return to England. We were sorry to find the husband ailing, but Mrs. Call seems to me brighter and freer from any check of suffering than she was years ago. It is a most hopeful fact that when she was at Rome, she had a long span of entire freedom from rheumatic pain. But our visit was spoiled by the entrance of two ladies, who sent us away before we had heard enough. I hope that Frank is now a source of comfort rather than of anxiety.
Last night a little packet sent by Mr. Bray seemed a cheerful sign that his health allows of much interest and activity. Perhaps dear Cara will be moved to send me a line or two about herself and him.
Do you know that our dear Madame Bodichon, whose life was so full of active benevolence, was some months ago stricken with an attack of aphasia and other symptoms of nervous weakness? She had gone to a cottage she has in Cornwall for the sake of taking there Madame Mario, whose overtasked frame was much in need of change and rest, and lo, Barbara herself was stricken and Madame Mario became her energetic nurse. The attack has long passed its worst, and she is completely like herself in everything except strength. Just now she is at Hastings.
Madame Belloc (Bessie Parkes) has lately lost her aged mother, 764 but is bent on settling in London with her little boy and girl, that their education may be thoroughly English. Every year she takes them to France to meet two old, old little ladies, her mother-in-law and her (the mother's) inseparable companion Mademoiselle Montgolfier, daughter of the a'ebronaut. 765
Another common acquaintance, Herbert Spencer, is coming to lunch with us today. He is very flourishing and, as usual, cheerful. His old objection to biography is so far dropped that he is preparing materials for his own. I think I never see any one else whom you know. But some weeks ago I had a note from Miss Julia Smith, written in almost as pretty a hand as ever, telling me about Barbara.
The Saturday before last we went to the christening of a new little Eleanor, 766 Charles and Gertrude's third baby, born in June last. The christening took place in Dr. Sadler's chapel 767 where Miss Marshall, eleven years ago, came to look on at their marriage. Dr. Sadler is a benignant-faced refined man whose voice and manner make the occasion such as affects one without any moral jar. Our two little ones at Natal are delicate, and so is their mother, but we are assured that the climate there gives the best hope of their being reared. The widowed mother writes with a loving unselfishness which has given us an affection for her all across the ocean.
I can't think of any other news that would be likely to interest you, for the world I live in is chiefly one that has grown around me in these later years, since we have seen so little of each other. Doubtless, we are both greatly changed in spiritual as well as bodily matters, but I think we are unchanged in the friendship founded on early memories. I, for my part, feel increasing gratitude for the cheering and stimulus your companionship gave me, and only think with pain that I might have profited more by it, if my mind had been more open to good influences.
Your loving
Pollian.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, III, 320-322.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
November 16. 77.
My dear Sara
Having a more secure freedom than I may have next week, I satisfy my eagerness to tell you that I am longing for the news of you which you have accustomed me to trust in as sure to come at this time of the year. You will give me, will you not? -- something more than an affectionate greeting. You will tell me how and where you have been and what is the actual state of your health and spirits -- whether you can still interest yourself in writing on great subjects without too much fatigue, and what companionship is now the most precious to you.
Jot me down a few particulars at a time, so that the letter may not be too great a bore to you, and be assured that the most trivial jotting will have interest for me.
We returned from our country home (with which we are much in love) at the beginning of this month, leaving it earlier than we wished because of the need to get workmen into it. Our bit of Surrey has the beauties of Scotland wedded to those of Warwickshire, and in front of our hill we have a valley which would be equal to what one sees from Richmond Hill -- if the river were not wanting. Water is the one deficiency.
During the last two months of our stay there I was conscious of more health and strength than I have known for several years. Imagine me playing at lawn tennis by the hour together!
The other day 763 we went to see Mr. and Mrs. Call for the first time since their return to England. We were sorry to find the husband ailing, but Mrs. Call seems to me brighter and freer from any check of suffering than she was years ago. It is a most hopeful fact that when she was at Rome, she had a long span of entire freedom from rheumatic pain. But our visit was spoiled by the entrance of two ladies, who sent us away before we had heard enough. I hope that Frank is now a source of comfort rather than of anxiety.
Last night a little packet sent by Mr. Bray seemed a cheerful sign that his health allows of much interest and activity. Perhaps dear Cara will be moved to send me a line or two about herself and him.
Do you know that our dear Madame Bodichon, whose life was so full of active benevolence, was some months ago stricken with an attack of aphasia and other symptoms of nervous weakness? She had gone to a cottage she has in Cornwall for the sake of taking there Madame Mario, whose overtasked frame was much in need of change and rest, and lo, Barbara herself was stricken and Madame Mario became her energetic nurse. The attack has long passed its worst, and she is completely like herself in everything except strength. Just now she is at Hastings.
Madame Belloc (Bessie Parkes) has lately lost her aged mother, 764 but is bent on settling in London with her little boy and girl, that their education may be thoroughly English. Every year she takes them to France to meet two old, old little ladies, her mother-in-law and her (the mother's) inseparable companion Mademoiselle Montgolfier, daughter of the a'ebronaut. 765
Another common acquaintance, Herbert Spencer, is coming to lunch with us today. He is very flourishing and, as usual, cheerful. His old objection to biography is so far dropped that he is preparing materials for his own. I think I never see any one else whom you know. But some weeks ago I had a note from Miss Julia Smith, written in almost as pretty a hand as ever, telling me about Barbara.
The Saturday before last we went to the christening of a new little Eleanor, 766 Charles and Gertrude's third baby, born in June last. The christening took place in Dr. Sadler's chapel 767 where Miss Marshall, eleven years ago, came to look on at their marriage. Dr. Sadler is a benignant-faced refined man whose voice and manner make the occasion such as affects one without any moral jar. Our two little ones at Natal are delicate, and so is their mother, but we are assured that the climate there gives the best hope of their being reared. The widowed mother writes with a loving unselfishness which has given us an affection for her all across the ocean.
I can't think of any other news that would be likely to interest you, for the world I live in is chiefly one that has grown around me in these later years, since we have seen so little of each other. Doubtless, we are both greatly changed in spiritual as well as bodily matters, but I think we are unchanged in the friendship founded on early memories. I, for my part, feel increasing gratitude for the cheering and stimulus your companionship gave me, and only think with pain that I might have profited more by it, if my mind had been more open to good influences.
Your loving
Pollian.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 16 November 1877, 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/93999