Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 28 March 1880
Title
Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 28 March 1880
Title
Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 28 March 1880
Sender
Edith Simcox
Recipient
U
Date(s)
- 1880-03-28
Place
London
Letter Content
Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 28 March 1880
MS: Bodleian. Extract published: McKenzie, pp. 61-62.
Sunday 28 March 1880
This is my real Easter holiday. . . . Yesterday I read through my private journal from May 74 to the fatal March -- I don't admire myself on the retrospect and I can understand the "exasperating" effect on her mind of my alternations from the tone of rapturous delighted adoration and devotion to still unsatisfied questioning. . . .
I have thought, the last few days, of writing a little book of "Vignettes"; 547 I shall sound the boys and Annie 548 at Sark, as, if it were written, I should not like my own people to guess quite how much autobiography there might be in it, and also I could imagine the boys each contributing a scene or two that would increase one's dramatic range. On the other hand, it would be nothing if not finished into very classical perfection and it is hard to be sure. As to ulterior motives, I should be glad of a chance of delivering myself aloud as to divers conclusions upon life and morals, and I want before giving up the ghost of ambition to have one -- or two -- more shots at my neighbours' ears. It is still a question whether one is to write for money or antiquity.
MS: Bodleian. Extract published: McKenzie, pp. 61-62.
Sunday 28 March 1880
This is my real Easter holiday. . . . Yesterday I read through my private journal from May 74 to the fatal March -- I don't admire myself on the retrospect and I can understand the "exasperating" effect on her mind of my alternations from the tone of rapturous delighted adoration and devotion to still unsatisfied questioning. . . .
I have thought, the last few days, of writing a little book of "Vignettes"; 547 I shall sound the boys and Annie 548 at Sark, as, if it were written, I should not like my own people to guess quite how much autobiography there might be in it, and also I could imagine the boys each contributing a scene or two that would increase one's dramatic range. On the other hand, it would be nothing if not finished into very classical perfection and it is hard to be sure. As to ulterior motives, I should be glad of a chance of delivering myself aloud as to divers conclusions upon life and morals, and I want before giving up the ghost of ambition to have one -- or two -- more shots at my neighbours' ears. It is still a question whether one is to write for money or antiquity.
Citation
Edith Simcox, Edith Simcox, Autobiography, 28 March 1880, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/91802