GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 18 May [1870]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 18 May [1870]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 18 May [1870]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1870-05-18
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 18 May [1870]
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, III, 108-109.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
May 18.
My dear Sara
I gladly and gratefully keep the portrait. 181 For my own part I should have said without hesitation, "Prefix it to the Inquiry." One must not be unreasonable about portraits. How can a thing which is always the same, be an adequate representation of a living being who is always varying? Especially of a living being who is sensitive, bright, many-sided, as your Brother was. But I think the impression which this portrait gives excites interest, and Mr. Lewes, who never saw your Brother, thinks so too. He too would have voted for prefixing it. I am often sorry for people who lose half their possible good in the world by being more alive to deficiencies than to positive merits. I am rather stupid, though, to say all this now that the question has been decided the other way. And you could not be satisfied to persist, because any doubt cast over the balance of effect from the portrait must have touched your anxiety too keenly.
I can enter the better, from my late experience, into the oppression you suffer from renewed colds. The thermometer is rising now, and one may hope that continuous sunshine will melt away the oppression.
I read your letter to Mr. Lewes, and he has a lively sympathy in what you say about the labour of proof reading, for the publisher sent him word last night that a new edition was wanted of his Hist[ory] of Philosophy, and he has to go back upon that, revising first, and then seeing proofs, instead of quietly pursuing the path that he is looking along with hopefulness. But I cannot help being pleased that his work is being used by the public. 182
I like to know that you have felt in common with me while you read "Jubal." Curiously enough, Mr. Lewes when I first read it to him, made just the remark you make about the scene of Jubal coming with the lyre. 183 We laughed at Mr. Bray's sharp criticism. Tell him it is not the fashion for authors ever to be in the wrong. They have always justifying reasons. But also it is the fashion for critics to know everything, so that the authors don't think it needful to tell their reasons.
We are going to Oxford to see Mr. and Mrs. Pattison (the Rector of Lincoln College and his wife) next Wednesday, to stay till Saturday. After that, we shall be at home till the beginning of August, when we shall go into the country, if nothing happens to hinder.
Ever yours lovingly
M. E. L.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, III, 108-109.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
May 18.
My dear Sara
I gladly and gratefully keep the portrait. 181 For my own part I should have said without hesitation, "Prefix it to the Inquiry." One must not be unreasonable about portraits. How can a thing which is always the same, be an adequate representation of a living being who is always varying? Especially of a living being who is sensitive, bright, many-sided, as your Brother was. But I think the impression which this portrait gives excites interest, and Mr. Lewes, who never saw your Brother, thinks so too. He too would have voted for prefixing it. I am often sorry for people who lose half their possible good in the world by being more alive to deficiencies than to positive merits. I am rather stupid, though, to say all this now that the question has been decided the other way. And you could not be satisfied to persist, because any doubt cast over the balance of effect from the portrait must have touched your anxiety too keenly.
I can enter the better, from my late experience, into the oppression you suffer from renewed colds. The thermometer is rising now, and one may hope that continuous sunshine will melt away the oppression.
I read your letter to Mr. Lewes, and he has a lively sympathy in what you say about the labour of proof reading, for the publisher sent him word last night that a new edition was wanted of his Hist[ory] of Philosophy, and he has to go back upon that, revising first, and then seeing proofs, instead of quietly pursuing the path that he is looking along with hopefulness. But I cannot help being pleased that his work is being used by the public. 182
I like to know that you have felt in common with me while you read "Jubal." Curiously enough, Mr. Lewes when I first read it to him, made just the remark you make about the scene of Jubal coming with the lyre. 183 We laughed at Mr. Bray's sharp criticism. Tell him it is not the fashion for authors ever to be in the wrong. They have always justifying reasons. But also it is the fashion for critics to know everything, so that the authors don't think it needful to tell their reasons.
We are going to Oxford to see Mr. and Mrs. Pattison (the Rector of Lincoln College and his wife) next Wednesday, to stay till Saturday. After that, we shall be at home till the beginning of August, when we shall go into the country, if nothing happens to hinder.
Ever yours lovingly
M. E. L.
Signature
M. E. L.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 18 May [1870], 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/94002