GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, 11 November 1859
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, 11 November 1859
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, 11 November 1859
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1859-11-11
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, 11 November 1859
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, II, 140-141.
Holly Lodge | November 11th. 59.
Dear Sara
A very beautiful letter -- beautiful in feeling -- that I have received from Mrs. Gaskell today, prompts me to write to you and let you know how entirely she has freed herself from any imputation of being unwilling to accept the truth when it has once clearly presented itself as truth. Since she has known "on authority" that the two books are mine, she has re-read them, and has written to me apparently on the prompting they gave in that second reading. Very sweet and noble words they are, that she has written to me. I wanted you to know that good of her, and I can tell you along with it, that I am thinking of you the oftener because our sister-birthdays are so near. I hope yours will be marked by much satisfaction in the ending of your work -- which it will nearly date, will it not? But don't you force yourself to write to me unless you are inwardly moved to do it: this Blatt of mine needs no answer, and is only like the wafted kiss we are content to give when our friend's back is turned. Kind remembrances all round,
Ever thine
Pollian.
If you care to know, I can tell you, the article on Rousseau was Mr. Call's (in the Westminster). 381 Mr. Herbert Spencer dined with us a fortnight ago, on his return to London -- looking "spry" and cheery -- but not apparently nearer the obtainment of that Government post 382 which is to give him freedom for writing the eleven volumes at present imprisoned in his brain.
Yesterday, Mr. Dickens dined with us -- on his return from the country. That was a great pleasure to me: he is a man one can thoroughly enjoy talking to -- there is a strain of real seriousness along with his keenness and humour.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, II, 140-141.
Holly Lodge | November 11th. 59.
Dear Sara
A very beautiful letter -- beautiful in feeling -- that I have received from Mrs. Gaskell today, prompts me to write to you and let you know how entirely she has freed herself from any imputation of being unwilling to accept the truth when it has once clearly presented itself as truth. Since she has known "on authority" that the two books are mine, she has re-read them, and has written to me apparently on the prompting they gave in that second reading. Very sweet and noble words they are, that she has written to me. I wanted you to know that good of her, and I can tell you along with it, that I am thinking of you the oftener because our sister-birthdays are so near. I hope yours will be marked by much satisfaction in the ending of your work -- which it will nearly date, will it not? But don't you force yourself to write to me unless you are inwardly moved to do it: this Blatt of mine needs no answer, and is only like the wafted kiss we are content to give when our friend's back is turned. Kind remembrances all round,
Ever thine
Pollian.
If you care to know, I can tell you, the article on Rousseau was Mr. Call's (in the Westminster). 381 Mr. Herbert Spencer dined with us a fortnight ago, on his return to London -- looking "spry" and cheery -- but not apparently nearer the obtainment of that Government post 382 which is to give him freedom for writing the eleven volumes at present imprisoned in his brain.
Yesterday, Mr. Dickens dined with us -- on his return from the country. That was a great pleasure to me: he is a man one can thoroughly enjoy talking to -- there is a strain of real seriousness along with his keenness and humour.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, 11 November 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/94126