GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 9 March 1863
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 9 March 1863
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 9 March 1863
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1863-03-09
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 9 March 1863
MS: Yale. Extract published: Cross, II, 349-350.
Blandford Sq. | March 9. 63.
Dear Sara
I think we must not grumble any more about our health just yet for we are hardly worse off than our neighbours. I suppose poor Miss Marshall's affliction is neuralgic face-ache -- piteous to think of. And Mr. Bray's, of which I learn for the first time from your note, is perhaps like something Mr. Lewes has been having from irritable teeth. I remember old troubles of that sort. I feel for all mortals with ailing bodies.
We have had a week at Dorking, 139 returning a few days ago to welcome Charlie home after his holiday -- not to see the procession, which I should have liked well enough to see if I had had more strength of mind and body to endure being driven through crowded streets and sitting at a window with people who would have a long while to stare at one before the procession came.
Poor Mr. Congreve, after his severe attack of sciatica, is trying to quicken his recovery by a stay at Peter Hall. 140 Mrs. Congreve writes that he seems to be the better for the change. She says, they hear nothing about the Coventry distress, and I am hoping that it is somewhat diminished, since Mr. Bray wrote last about it.
That scheme of a sort of Philosophic Club that I told you of 141 went to pieces before it was finished, like a house of cards. So it will be to the end I fancy, with all attempts at combinations that are not based either on material interests, or on opinions that are not merely opinions but religion. -- I think I have no news to tell but such as is in the newspapers. Doubtless you have been interested in the Colenso correspondence, 142 and perhaps in good Miss Cobbe's Rejoinder to Mrs. Stowe's Remonstrating Answer to the Women of England. 143 I was glad to see how free the answer was from all tartness or conceit. Miss Cobbe's Introduction to the new edition of Theodore Parker 144 is also very honourable to her -- a little too metaphorical here and there, but with real thought and good feeling in it. With best love to all,
Ever yours
Pollian.
MS: Yale. Extract published: Cross, II, 349-350.
Blandford Sq. | March 9. 63.
Dear Sara
I think we must not grumble any more about our health just yet for we are hardly worse off than our neighbours. I suppose poor Miss Marshall's affliction is neuralgic face-ache -- piteous to think of. And Mr. Bray's, of which I learn for the first time from your note, is perhaps like something Mr. Lewes has been having from irritable teeth. I remember old troubles of that sort. I feel for all mortals with ailing bodies.
We have had a week at Dorking, 139 returning a few days ago to welcome Charlie home after his holiday -- not to see the procession, which I should have liked well enough to see if I had had more strength of mind and body to endure being driven through crowded streets and sitting at a window with people who would have a long while to stare at one before the procession came.
Poor Mr. Congreve, after his severe attack of sciatica, is trying to quicken his recovery by a stay at Peter Hall. 140 Mrs. Congreve writes that he seems to be the better for the change. She says, they hear nothing about the Coventry distress, and I am hoping that it is somewhat diminished, since Mr. Bray wrote last about it.
That scheme of a sort of Philosophic Club that I told you of 141 went to pieces before it was finished, like a house of cards. So it will be to the end I fancy, with all attempts at combinations that are not based either on material interests, or on opinions that are not merely opinions but religion. -- I think I have no news to tell but such as is in the newspapers. Doubtless you have been interested in the Colenso correspondence, 142 and perhaps in good Miss Cobbe's Rejoinder to Mrs. Stowe's Remonstrating Answer to the Women of England. 143 I was glad to see how free the answer was from all tartness or conceit. Miss Cobbe's Introduction to the new edition of Theodore Parker 144 is also very honourable to her -- a little too metaphorical here and there, but with real thought and good feeling in it. With best love to all,
Ever yours
Pollian.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 9 March 1863, 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/94064