GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, Richmond, 3 February 1858
Title
GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, Richmond, 3 February 1858
Title
GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, Richmond, 3 February 1858
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Bessie Rayner Parkes
Date(s)
- 1858-02-03
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, Richmond, 3 February 1858
MS: The Countess of Iddesleigh. Hitherto unpublished.
Richmond | February 3. /58.
Dearest Bessie
My negative about the writing has no special relation to the [Englishwoman's Journal,] but includes that and all other Reviews. I dare say you have not seen Mr. Chapman lately, or have not made any allusion to me in conversation with him, or he would have told you that I have not written for the Westminster since the last Christmas but one -- that is, just a year ago -- and that I have been obliged to say [No] to all his requests for contributions. I have given up writing [articles,] having discovered that my vocation lies in other paths. In fact entre nous, I expect to be writing books for some time to come. Don't speak of that at all; but I tell it you that you may not in the least misapprehend my negatives. If it were a mere question of a little more or less of effort, I should have contrived to write an article for Mr. Chapman for old friendship's sake. But it is not that. It is a question whether I shall give up building my own house to go and help in the building of my neighbour's garden wall.
So much purely in explanation, to prevent you from misconstruing me.
I will write to you the day before I go to town, for the chance of half an hour's talk which may not be altogether unfruitful.
Ever your affectionate
Marian.
Miss Parkes
MS: The Countess of Iddesleigh. Hitherto unpublished.
Richmond | February 3. /58.
Dearest Bessie
My negative about the writing has no special relation to the [Englishwoman's Journal,] but includes that and all other Reviews. I dare say you have not seen Mr. Chapman lately, or have not made any allusion to me in conversation with him, or he would have told you that I have not written for the Westminster since the last Christmas but one -- that is, just a year ago -- and that I have been obliged to say [No] to all his requests for contributions. I have given up writing [articles,] having discovered that my vocation lies in other paths. In fact entre nous, I expect to be writing books for some time to come. Don't speak of that at all; but I tell it you that you may not in the least misapprehend my negatives. If it were a mere question of a little more or less of effort, I should have contrived to write an article for Mr. Chapman for old friendship's sake. But it is not that. It is a question whether I shall give up building my own house to go and help in the building of my neighbour's garden wall.
So much purely in explanation, to prevent you from misconstruing me.
I will write to you the day before I go to town, for the chance of half an hour's talk which may not be altogether unfruitful.
Ever your affectionate
Marian.
Miss Parkes
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Bessie Rayner Parkes, Richmond, 3 February 1858, 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/92068