John W. Cross to Mme Bodichon, London, 13 January 1881
Title
John W. Cross to Mme Bodichon, London, 13 January 1881
Title
John W. Cross to Mme Bodichon, London, 13 January 1881
Sender
John Walter Cross
Recipient
Mme Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1881-01-13
Place
London
Letter Content
John W. Cross to Mme Bodichon, London, 13 January 1881
MS: Yale.
Cheyne Walk, | Chelsea, S.W.
January 1881.
Dear Madame Bodichon,
I am glad to have your letter -- It was very good of you to write at a time when I am afraid you are not very strong -- I had an opportunity the same evening of giving Charles Lewes your message.
Yes it is indeed desolation and I have so often used the words you use "this world is so much poorer." Amongst all her intimate friends I know there was none she valued more or who was more to her than yourself.
She talked to me a great deal about you. In fact a great deal of our talk during our short married life was about old days and I think I know all her feelings to her friends very thoroughly. Knowing her as intimately as you did you can imagine what the loss is to me of such a companion. During the last few months especially when she was so ill from the end of September till we left Witley at end of November I was scarcely ever away more than an hour or two from her. We did everything together; and if it were not that there has been a great deal to do since her death, I don't know what I should do in this house alone by myself. I should like very much indeed to come to see you some day when you feel strong enough and we can talk over the olden times. She and I were to have come together were we not this spring? "Oh the little more, and how much it is and the little less, and what worlds away!" 571
Surely I will always remember thankfully that you feel for me -- and I can feel for you too. Believe me always
Yours sincerely
J. W. Cross.
MS: Yale.
Cheyne Walk, | Chelsea, S.W.
January 1881.
Dear Madame Bodichon,
I am glad to have your letter -- It was very good of you to write at a time when I am afraid you are not very strong -- I had an opportunity the same evening of giving Charles Lewes your message.
Yes it is indeed desolation and I have so often used the words you use "this world is so much poorer." Amongst all her intimate friends I know there was none she valued more or who was more to her than yourself.
She talked to me a great deal about you. In fact a great deal of our talk during our short married life was about old days and I think I know all her feelings to her friends very thoroughly. Knowing her as intimately as you did you can imagine what the loss is to me of such a companion. During the last few months especially when she was so ill from the end of September till we left Witley at end of November I was scarcely ever away more than an hour or two from her. We did everything together; and if it were not that there has been a great deal to do since her death, I don't know what I should do in this house alone by myself. I should like very much indeed to come to see you some day when you feel strong enough and we can talk over the olden times. She and I were to have come together were we not this spring? "Oh the little more, and how much it is and the little less, and what worlds away!" 571
Surely I will always remember thankfully that you feel for me -- and I can feel for you too. Believe me always
Yours sincerely
J. W. Cross.
Signature
J. W. Cross.
Citation
John Walter Cross, John W. Cross to Mme Bodichon, London, 13 January 1881, 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/95507