GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 29 January 1872
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 29 January 1872
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 29 January 1872
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1872-01-29
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 29 January 1872
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, III, 150-151.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
January 29. 72.
Dear Sara
I do lead rather a crawling life under these rainy fogs and low behaviour of the barometer. But I am a little better on the whole, though just now overdone with the fatigue of company.
Your account of yourself does not at all satisfy me, but I hear all round that this winter is one of unusual sickness, though the mild unhealthiness of the weather is less fatal to the old than the severe frosts. But which is kinder? -- the weather that kills, or the weather that keeps uncomfortably alive?
To hear of Mr. Dawson coming to lecture at Coventry is a revival of old memories. How changed he probably is from the slim mercurial dark-haired creature whom I heard in his twenties!
We have been to hear Coleridge addressing the jury on the Tichborne trial -- a very interesting occasion to me. He is a marvellous speaker among Englishmen, has an exquisitely melodious voice, perfect gesture, and a power of keeping the thread of his syntax to the end of his sentences, which make him delightful to follow. We are going some other day, if possible, to hear a cross-examination of Ballantyne's. 456 The digest of the evidence which Coleridge gives, is one of the best illustrations of the value or valuelessness of testimony that could be given. I wonder if the world which retails Guppy anecdotes 457 will be any the wiser for it! With love,
Ever your faithful
Pollian.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, III, 150-151.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
January 29. 72.
Dear Sara
I do lead rather a crawling life under these rainy fogs and low behaviour of the barometer. But I am a little better on the whole, though just now overdone with the fatigue of company.
Your account of yourself does not at all satisfy me, but I hear all round that this winter is one of unusual sickness, though the mild unhealthiness of the weather is less fatal to the old than the severe frosts. But which is kinder? -- the weather that kills, or the weather that keeps uncomfortably alive?
To hear of Mr. Dawson coming to lecture at Coventry is a revival of old memories. How changed he probably is from the slim mercurial dark-haired creature whom I heard in his twenties!
We have been to hear Coleridge addressing the jury on the Tichborne trial -- a very interesting occasion to me. He is a marvellous speaker among Englishmen, has an exquisitely melodious voice, perfect gesture, and a power of keeping the thread of his syntax to the end of his sentences, which make him delightful to follow. We are going some other day, if possible, to hear a cross-examination of Ballantyne's. 456 The digest of the evidence which Coleridge gives, is one of the best illustrations of the value or valuelessness of testimony that could be given. I wonder if the world which retails Guppy anecdotes 457 will be any the wiser for it! With love,
Ever your faithful
Pollian.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 29 January 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/94044