GE to Herbert Spencer, Wandsworth, 2 October 1859
Title
GE to Herbert Spencer, Wandsworth, 2 October 1859
Title
GE to Herbert Spencer, Wandsworth, 2 October 1859
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Herbert Spencer
Date(s)
- 1859-10-02
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GE to Herbert Spencer, Wandsworth, 2 October 1859
MS: British Museum. Published: Bulletin of the New York Public Library, 79 (Spring 1976), 370-371.
Holly Lodge, South Fields | Wandsworth | October 2. 59.
Dear Friend
Your words about [Adam Bede] are very precious, and they came opportunely, for I have been much worried of late. To have written a book that can move people as they say they are moved by [Adam Bede] ought to be happiness enough for me -- ought to make me strong against minor personal griefs. But I have a new proof of the predominance of an egoistic sensitiveness in me, in the power these minor griefs retain over me.
Yet I did feel very happy this morning, in spite of previous depression, when I came to that part of your letter where you say you felt the better for reading my book. It will always be one of the things I shall think of when I want to gather courage.
I have often accounted to myself for the change I imagined in your manner towards me by the supposition that I had made myself disagreeable in some way. I should not have trusted my own inferences, because I know I am rather morbid in such matters; but George, who is not apt to err in the same way, had a similar impression, and long ago, at Richmond, we used to try and recal some possible offence on my part.
Never mind: it is enough that you are not conscious of any change in feeling.
Ever yours sincerely
Marian Evans Lewes.
Herbert Spencer Esq.
MS: British Museum. Published: Bulletin of the New York Public Library, 79 (Spring 1976), 370-371.
Holly Lodge, South Fields | Wandsworth | October 2. 59.
Dear Friend
Your words about [Adam Bede] are very precious, and they came opportunely, for I have been much worried of late. To have written a book that can move people as they say they are moved by [Adam Bede] ought to be happiness enough for me -- ought to make me strong against minor personal griefs. But I have a new proof of the predominance of an egoistic sensitiveness in me, in the power these minor griefs retain over me.
Yet I did feel very happy this morning, in spite of previous depression, when I came to that part of your letter where you say you felt the better for reading my book. It will always be one of the things I shall think of when I want to gather courage.
I have often accounted to myself for the change I imagined in your manner towards me by the supposition that I had made myself disagreeable in some way. I should not have trusted my own inferences, because I know I am rather morbid in such matters; but George, who is not apt to err in the same way, had a similar impression, and long ago, at Richmond, we used to try and recal some possible offence on my part.
Never mind: it is enough that you are not conscious of any change in feeling.
Ever yours sincerely
Marian Evans Lewes.
Herbert Spencer Esq.
Signature
Marian Evans Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Herbert Spencer, Wandsworth, 2 October 1859, 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/92530