GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, [5 December 1859]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, [5 December 1859]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, [5 December 1859]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1859-12-05
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, [5 December 1859]
MS: Yale. Endorsed: Dec. 6. 1859. Extracts published: Cross, II, 149-150.
Monday Evening.
Dear Sara
I'm glad you have had pleasure in the acting. In opposition to most people who love to read Shakspeare I like to see his plays acted better than any others: his great tragedies thrill me, let them be acted how they may. I think it is something like what I used to experience in old days in listening to uncultured preachers -- the emotions lay hold of one too strongly for one to care about the medium. Before all other plays I find myself cold and critical, seeing nothing but actors and "properties." When we were at Weymouth we went to the tiny theatre there to see the Hunchback, 429 for my especial instruction and amusement, since I had never seen that clap-trap drama. Such a Julia! a nurserymaid in dingy white satin. I like going to those little provincial theatres. One's heart streams out to the poor devils of actors who get so little clapping and will go home to so poor a supper.
Please to thank Mr. Bray for his letter, but remind him that he did not answer my question -- how much we owe for Bentley. When you write again, pray tell me: I don't like to have these things on my memory.
One of my pleasures lately has been hearing repeatedly from my Genevese friends, M. and Mde. d'Albert who were so good to me during my residence with them. M. d'Albert had read the "Scenes of Clerical Life" before he knew they were mine, and had been so much struck with them that he had wanted to translate them. One likes to feel old ties strengthened by fresh sympathies.
The Cornhill Magazine is going to lead off with great spirit, and promises to eclipse all the other new-born periodicals. Mr. Lewes is writing a series of papers for it -- "Studies in Animal Life" -- which are to be subsequently published as a book.
It is quite as well that your book should not be ready for publication just yet: February is a much better time than Christmas. I shall be one of your most eager readers -- for every book that comes from the heart of hearts does me good, and I quite share your faith that what you yourself feel so deeply and find so precious will find a home in some other minds.
Cara's anxiety lest her prime minister 430 should resign is a trial I can understand. I hope it implies that the home government has been going on smoothly of late. I wonder how Harriet is now. It is a long while since you told me anything about her -- indeed I think I have not heard at all whether she prospers in her independent lodgings. Not that I impose on you the task of writing letters to answer my dilettante questions. "Am I on a bed of roses?" I have four children to correspond with -- the three boys in Switzerland, and Emily at Lichfield. With love to Cara,
Ever your affectionate
Pollian.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: Dec. 6. 1859. Extracts published: Cross, II, 149-150.
Monday Evening.
Dear Sara
I'm glad you have had pleasure in the acting. In opposition to most people who love to read Shakspeare I like to see his plays acted better than any others: his great tragedies thrill me, let them be acted how they may. I think it is something like what I used to experience in old days in listening to uncultured preachers -- the emotions lay hold of one too strongly for one to care about the medium. Before all other plays I find myself cold and critical, seeing nothing but actors and "properties." When we were at Weymouth we went to the tiny theatre there to see the Hunchback, 429 for my especial instruction and amusement, since I had never seen that clap-trap drama. Such a Julia! a nurserymaid in dingy white satin. I like going to those little provincial theatres. One's heart streams out to the poor devils of actors who get so little clapping and will go home to so poor a supper.
Please to thank Mr. Bray for his letter, but remind him that he did not answer my question -- how much we owe for Bentley. When you write again, pray tell me: I don't like to have these things on my memory.
One of my pleasures lately has been hearing repeatedly from my Genevese friends, M. and Mde. d'Albert who were so good to me during my residence with them. M. d'Albert had read the "Scenes of Clerical Life" before he knew they were mine, and had been so much struck with them that he had wanted to translate them. One likes to feel old ties strengthened by fresh sympathies.
The Cornhill Magazine is going to lead off with great spirit, and promises to eclipse all the other new-born periodicals. Mr. Lewes is writing a series of papers for it -- "Studies in Animal Life" -- which are to be subsequently published as a book.
It is quite as well that your book should not be ready for publication just yet: February is a much better time than Christmas. I shall be one of your most eager readers -- for every book that comes from the heart of hearts does me good, and I quite share your faith that what you yourself feel so deeply and find so precious will find a home in some other minds.
Cara's anxiety lest her prime minister 430 should resign is a trial I can understand. I hope it implies that the home government has been going on smoothly of late. I wonder how Harriet is now. It is a long while since you told me anything about her -- indeed I think I have not heard at all whether she prospers in her independent lodgings. Not that I impose on you the task of writing letters to answer my dilettante questions. "Am I on a bed of roses?" I have four children to correspond with -- the three boys in Switzerland, and Emily at Lichfield. With love to Cara,
Ever your affectionate
Pollian.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, [5 December 1859], 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/94123