GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 19 November 1872
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 19 November 1872
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 19 November 1872
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1872-11-19
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 19 November 1872
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
November 19. 72.
My dear Sara
I think you knew that we went abroad about the middle of September. We came home again at the beginning of this month and I have been bearing the thought of writing to you in my mind ever since, only deferring it that I might make my greeting near to our common epoch.
How are you? Well, I trust, in spite of the unfriendly weather, and able to look forward with cheerfulness to the years which may be to come. I am rather a-hungered for some assurance about you and the other friends on the same hearth.
The sun has hardly shone more than one day since our return, and it has not been possible to escape colds, but we are on the whole the better for our change. We stayed at Homburg three weeks, then went to Stuttgardt and Carlsruhe, and home by Strasburg and Paris. During the whole six weeks we had about ten days of lovely weather; the rest was cold and dampness. Don't you think that this planet is getting more uncomfortable than it used to be?
I have heard a sad account of Miss Marshall's health since we came home, and I fear that you and Cara will feel it a sad breach in dear old habits not to have letters from her. About Mr. and Mrs. Call I can learn nothing. Pray tell me, if you can, where and how they are. Their old servants who are with me would be very glad to hear some good news about them.
But tell me chiefly about yourself, dear Sara, -- how you are in health and spirits, and what is occupying you in your writing: something which will be of long preparation, or something that will soon bring the complication of proofs with manuscript? 628
As for us, we are alarmingly happy, and should have nothing to insure us against the envy of the gods if it were not for a few infirmities of advancing age.
Among our common friends I can tell you of Mr. Herbert Spencer as altogether prosperous in mind and body. You know how finely the Americans have behaved in providing him with a German amanuensis (over and above the English one) to help him in his historical inquiries? 629 And the plan is answering to his satisfaction. I dare say you don't neglect his papers on Sociology in the Contemporary Review. 630 Love to Cara and Mr. Bray, and deeply felt fellowship, dear Sara, with you, in the thoughts of this time.
Always while the year revolves to us
Your faithful
Pollian.
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
November 19. 72.
My dear Sara
I think you knew that we went abroad about the middle of September. We came home again at the beginning of this month and I have been bearing the thought of writing to you in my mind ever since, only deferring it that I might make my greeting near to our common epoch.
How are you? Well, I trust, in spite of the unfriendly weather, and able to look forward with cheerfulness to the years which may be to come. I am rather a-hungered for some assurance about you and the other friends on the same hearth.
The sun has hardly shone more than one day since our return, and it has not been possible to escape colds, but we are on the whole the better for our change. We stayed at Homburg three weeks, then went to Stuttgardt and Carlsruhe, and home by Strasburg and Paris. During the whole six weeks we had about ten days of lovely weather; the rest was cold and dampness. Don't you think that this planet is getting more uncomfortable than it used to be?
I have heard a sad account of Miss Marshall's health since we came home, and I fear that you and Cara will feel it a sad breach in dear old habits not to have letters from her. About Mr. and Mrs. Call I can learn nothing. Pray tell me, if you can, where and how they are. Their old servants who are with me would be very glad to hear some good news about them.
But tell me chiefly about yourself, dear Sara, -- how you are in health and spirits, and what is occupying you in your writing: something which will be of long preparation, or something that will soon bring the complication of proofs with manuscript? 628
As for us, we are alarmingly happy, and should have nothing to insure us against the envy of the gods if it were not for a few infirmities of advancing age.
Among our common friends I can tell you of Mr. Herbert Spencer as altogether prosperous in mind and body. You know how finely the Americans have behaved in providing him with a German amanuensis (over and above the English one) to help him in his historical inquiries? 629 And the plan is answering to his satisfaction. I dare say you don't neglect his papers on Sociology in the Contemporary Review. 630 Love to Cara and Mr. Bray, and deeply felt fellowship, dear Sara, with you, in the thoughts of this time.
Always while the year revolves to us
Your faithful
Pollian.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 19 November 1872, 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/94008