GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Earlswood Common, 23 September 1874
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Earlswood Common, 23 September 1874
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Earlswood Common, 23 September 1874
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1874-09-23
Place
Earlswood Common
Letter Content
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Earlswood Common, 23 September 1874
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Hitherto unpublished.
The Cottage | Earlswood Comm. | September 23. 74.
My dear Barbara
I have often been saying, [Barbara is gone on her sketching expedition] or, [This grey day will suit Barbara.] But somehow you had sent my imagination to Yorkshire. I should think Cornwall and its granite was the scenery most after your own heart.
Glad to hear good news of your establishment. Altogether you give me the impression that you have had a delightful summer. So have we.
We are not robust, but otherwise jolly -- are going up to town on Friday, then into Cambridgeshire for a few days, then to France. At the beginning of November we expect to be settled in town. 145
George has got his 2d volume ready for the press, and we have had daily drives in lovely scenery, looking at the country through the changing months as one looks at a dear face through the changing years. The children have been to us twice from Saturday to Monday, and we have had about eight other visitors 146 for a day or half a day at rare intervals. Otherwise we have had uninterrupted quiet. You know we are not social creatures, unlike you who have always the real, breathing, talking world about you. The sketch you give me of Numa Hartog's cousin 147 is very gratifying. To hear of good young things growing up is the best of news.
I dare say you wonder that I have not done more for Girton. The fact is that we have been devoting a considerable sum of late years to the help of individual needs which are not published to the world. 148 More and more of such needs disclose themselves to one -- old governesses and other beings having some claims through the memory of good received in one's youth, and who could only be helped by such special care. But you will let me know what is to be done for this nice girl.
George has had a good deal of headache but you know how elastic his nature is, and how soon he brightens when pain has left him. He sends his love with mine.
Always your affectionate
M. E. Lewes.
I was pleasantly surprised by Mr. Allingham's marriage. 149 I rejoice in his getting the editorship and in the indications that his bride is an accomplished industrious woman.
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Hitherto unpublished.
The Cottage | Earlswood Comm. | September 23. 74.
My dear Barbara
I have often been saying, [Barbara is gone on her sketching expedition] or, [This grey day will suit Barbara.] But somehow you had sent my imagination to Yorkshire. I should think Cornwall and its granite was the scenery most after your own heart.
Glad to hear good news of your establishment. Altogether you give me the impression that you have had a delightful summer. So have we.
We are not robust, but otherwise jolly -- are going up to town on Friday, then into Cambridgeshire for a few days, then to France. At the beginning of November we expect to be settled in town. 145
George has got his 2d volume ready for the press, and we have had daily drives in lovely scenery, looking at the country through the changing months as one looks at a dear face through the changing years. The children have been to us twice from Saturday to Monday, and we have had about eight other visitors 146 for a day or half a day at rare intervals. Otherwise we have had uninterrupted quiet. You know we are not social creatures, unlike you who have always the real, breathing, talking world about you. The sketch you give me of Numa Hartog's cousin 147 is very gratifying. To hear of good young things growing up is the best of news.
I dare say you wonder that I have not done more for Girton. The fact is that we have been devoting a considerable sum of late years to the help of individual needs which are not published to the world. 148 More and more of such needs disclose themselves to one -- old governesses and other beings having some claims through the memory of good received in one's youth, and who could only be helped by such special care. But you will let me know what is to be done for this nice girl.
George has had a good deal of headache but you know how elastic his nature is, and how soon he brightens when pain has left him. He sends his love with mine.
Always your affectionate
M. E. Lewes.
I was pleasantly surprised by Mr. Allingham's marriage. 149 I rejoice in his getting the editorship and in the indications that his bride is an accomplished industrious woman.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Earlswood Common, 23 September 1874, 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/92987