GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, London, [21 January 1854]
Title
GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, London, [21 January 1854]
Title
GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, London, [21 January 1854]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Bessie Rayner Parkes
Date(s)
- 1854-01-21
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, London, [21 January 1854]
MS: The countess of Iddesleigh. Envelope: Miss Parkes | 2 Saville Row. Postmark: 12 | JA 21 | 54. Hitherto unpublished.
Cambridge Street | Saturday Morning.
Dear Friend
I meant to call on you the first day I could manage it.
As I seldom do anything en r'e8gle perhaps it will seem only consistent in me if I ask permission to answer Mrs. Parkes's invitation through you. I want you to make her understand, as gracefully as you can, that I am really obliged and pleased by her kind attention in inviting me and that under other circumstances I should have liked immensely to be of the party on Tuesday. But the fact is, I have no ball-dress, nor anything that would pass muster as one, and I can't afford just now to buy one. It would be a crucifixion of my own taste as well as other people's to appear like a withered cabbage in a flower garden. At a dinner-party, when people think only of conversation, one doesn't mind being a dowdy, but it is the essence of a dance that every one should look fresh and elegant -- at least as to their garments.
I did not like to send a note to Mrs. Parkes simply declining, and I could only give my explanation to you. But if you think I had better write to Mrs. Parkes according to form, send me three words to say so. Ever, dear Friend,
Yours faithfully
Marian Evans.
MS: The countess of Iddesleigh. Envelope: Miss Parkes | 2 Saville Row. Postmark: 12 | JA 21 | 54. Hitherto unpublished.
Cambridge Street | Saturday Morning.
Dear Friend
I meant to call on you the first day I could manage it.
As I seldom do anything en r'e8gle perhaps it will seem only consistent in me if I ask permission to answer Mrs. Parkes's invitation through you. I want you to make her understand, as gracefully as you can, that I am really obliged and pleased by her kind attention in inviting me and that under other circumstances I should have liked immensely to be of the party on Tuesday. But the fact is, I have no ball-dress, nor anything that would pass muster as one, and I can't afford just now to buy one. It would be a crucifixion of my own taste as well as other people's to appear like a withered cabbage in a flower garden. At a dinner-party, when people think only of conversation, one doesn't mind being a dowdy, but it is the essence of a dance that every one should look fresh and elegant -- at least as to their garments.
I did not like to send a note to Mrs. Parkes simply declining, and I could only give my explanation to you. But if you think I had better write to Mrs. Parkes according to form, send me three words to say so. Ever, dear Friend,
Yours faithfully
Marian Evans.
Signature
Marian Evans.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, London, [21 January 1854], 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/92041