GE to Charles Bray, [London, 25 January 1853]
Title
GE to Charles Bray, [London, 25 January 1853]
Title
GE to Charles Bray, [London, 25 January 1853]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Charles Bray
Date(s)
- 1853-01-25
Place
[London]
Letter Content
GE to Charles Bray, [London, 25 January 1853]
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Tuesday Morning.
Dear Friend
Thank you for your letter of this morning. I have shewn it to Mr. C. You seem to be under the very great mistake of supposing that I dictate Mr. C's letters. 264 I have nothing to do with their composition, and I must protest against being regarded as responsible for anything in the management of his affairs beyond the mere letter-press of the Review -- and even that is not always what I will. Every conversation I have had with him on this affair of Mr. Combe's has been painful. I am sorry for Mr. Chapman, however, and I do not wish to dilate on his deficiencies. I quite agree with you in your opinion of Mr. Combe's letter. Indeed, I have again and again said to Mr. Chapman, that I consider Mr. Combe's conduct to him throughout unexceptionable. I ought to say, however, that Mr. Chapman does his best in everything -- which is more than any one can say of me, so that I have very little right to criticize him. I know no one who works harder or seeks fewer indulgences than he.
I questioned Mr. Atkinson yesterday about Lady Monson. 265 All I could learn is, that he likes her, that she paints well, is not otherwise clever, is between 40 and 50, and was separated from her husband a week after her marriage. From another person I learn that she is Mr. Larken's sister, (Mr. Larken of Leader celebrity). 266
I am dreadfully behindhand with every thing, from having been so long idle. Tell Sara that is the reason if I am silent.
Yours etc.
Marian.
MS: Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Tuesday Morning.
Dear Friend
Thank you for your letter of this morning. I have shewn it to Mr. C. You seem to be under the very great mistake of supposing that I dictate Mr. C's letters. 264 I have nothing to do with their composition, and I must protest against being regarded as responsible for anything in the management of his affairs beyond the mere letter-press of the Review -- and even that is not always what I will. Every conversation I have had with him on this affair of Mr. Combe's has been painful. I am sorry for Mr. Chapman, however, and I do not wish to dilate on his deficiencies. I quite agree with you in your opinion of Mr. Combe's letter. Indeed, I have again and again said to Mr. Chapman, that I consider Mr. Combe's conduct to him throughout unexceptionable. I ought to say, however, that Mr. Chapman does his best in everything -- which is more than any one can say of me, so that I have very little right to criticize him. I know no one who works harder or seeks fewer indulgences than he.
I questioned Mr. Atkinson yesterday about Lady Monson. 265 All I could learn is, that he likes her, that she paints well, is not otherwise clever, is between 40 and 50, and was separated from her husband a week after her marriage. From another person I learn that she is Mr. Larken's sister, (Mr. Larken of Leader celebrity). 266
I am dreadfully behindhand with every thing, from having been so long idle. Tell Sara that is the reason if I am silent.
Yours etc.
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Charles Bray, [London, 25 January 1853], 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/92087