GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, London, [22] April 1864
Title
GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, London, [22] April 1864
Title
GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, London, [22] April 1864
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Bessie Rayner Parkes
Date(s)
- 1864-04-22
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, London, [22] April 1864
MS: The Countess of Iddesleigh. Envelope: Miss B. R. Parkes | Post Office | Hastings. Endorsed: Marian Evans Lewes to B.R.P. George Eliot. Postmarks: LONDON-N.W | 5 | AP 22 | 64; HASTINGS | A | AP 23 | 64. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
April 2. 256 64.
Dearest Bessie
Thanks for the letter from Natal. We have heard good news from Thornie since his landing, so that my chief pleasure in Mr. Buchanan's letter was that it gave an occasion for me to hear something of you.
What a long, long trial you have had, poor dear! But illness that leaves no permanent shattering gives a freshness to simple enjoyments that seems almost worth the purchase. The other day I was reading the cry of an Italian prisoner: "How can men ever be unhappy when they are free to move where they wish?" And when a bad headache has just left me, I too am ready to cry, "How could I ever think any trouble heavy except sickness?"
May Hastings 257 and Paris bring reinforcements of recovered health. My love to Barbara. I wrote to her not long ago, telling her all about our last news from Thornie.
Alas for poor Nannie. The thought of her laid prostrate among so many gifts -- unable to use them, is very painful to me.
Ever your affectionate
Marian.
MS: The Countess of Iddesleigh. Envelope: Miss B. R. Parkes | Post Office | Hastings. Endorsed: Marian Evans Lewes to B.R.P. George Eliot. Postmarks: LONDON-N.W | 5 | AP 22 | 64; HASTINGS | A | AP 23 | 64. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
April 2. 256 64.
Dearest Bessie
Thanks for the letter from Natal. We have heard good news from Thornie since his landing, so that my chief pleasure in Mr. Buchanan's letter was that it gave an occasion for me to hear something of you.
What a long, long trial you have had, poor dear! But illness that leaves no permanent shattering gives a freshness to simple enjoyments that seems almost worth the purchase. The other day I was reading the cry of an Italian prisoner: "How can men ever be unhappy when they are free to move where they wish?" And when a bad headache has just left me, I too am ready to cry, "How could I ever think any trouble heavy except sickness?"
May Hastings 257 and Paris bring reinforcements of recovered health. My love to Barbara. I wrote to her not long ago, telling her all about our last news from Thornie.
Alas for poor Nannie. The thought of her laid prostrate among so many gifts -- unable to use them, is very painful to me.
Ever your affectionate
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, London, [22] April 1864, 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/92042