GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 December 1868
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 December 1868
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 December 1868
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1868-12-12
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 December 1868
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Extracts published: Cross, III, 68.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
December 12. 68.
Dearest B.
Since I wrote to you last we have not been anywhere away from home, where I think we shall stay till some time after Christmas, and then perhaps take a long journey.
I fear you had rather a doleful s'e9jour at Ventnor. In London the weather was, moderately speaking, hideous, for perhaps a fortnight, but of late we have been having some clear days with such delicate effects of high cloud and faint blue that even the squares and broader streets of London have seemed rather like Paradise by comparison with what had gone before. I am much better and am less than usually conscious of my body. George is variable -- quickly worse and quickly better, but always showing an inability to bear a long stretch either of work or recreative exercise.
I should like to know how you are, and also to hear from you some better prospects about Miss Edwards' health than I gathered from Miss Davies, who told me the other day of Miss E's consumptive symptoms. 845 I had imagined her to be a strong woman.
We have been having a little company, and are rejoicing to think that our duties of this sort are done for the present. We like our studies and our dual solitude too well to feel company desirable more than one day a week.
Nevertheless, I hope you will stray to London some time soon and interrupt us. I saw your house in Blandford Sq. lit up the other evening as we passed it, so I conclude that Mr. Hastings 846 is still inhabiting it, but I understood from you that he would be tenant for only a few weeks, so that if you are inclined to try London I suppose there will be no obstacle in your way.
Mr. Burton has been come back from Ireland some weeks. He looks exceedingly well in health -- quite robust. And he has painted a portrait in Ireland, so that I hope he has now made the beginning in a new era of work. I have not seen him except when other friends have been present, and have not been able to talk to him, except as one of a circle. G. has been to see his old friend W. B. Scott 847 and is delighted to see his achievements as a painter. Also he (Mr. Scott) has dined with us and has charmed me by his simplicity and genuine talk.
George sends his love, which this evening is happily not headachy love. I wish our affection may be with you as some little cheering influence through the dark months. We hardly estimate enough the difference of feeling that would come to us if we did not imagine friendly souls scattered here and there in places that make the chief part of the world so far as we have known it.
Ever yours
Marian.
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Extracts published: Cross, III, 68.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
December 12. 68.
Dearest B.
Since I wrote to you last we have not been anywhere away from home, where I think we shall stay till some time after Christmas, and then perhaps take a long journey.
I fear you had rather a doleful s'e9jour at Ventnor. In London the weather was, moderately speaking, hideous, for perhaps a fortnight, but of late we have been having some clear days with such delicate effects of high cloud and faint blue that even the squares and broader streets of London have seemed rather like Paradise by comparison with what had gone before. I am much better and am less than usually conscious of my body. George is variable -- quickly worse and quickly better, but always showing an inability to bear a long stretch either of work or recreative exercise.
I should like to know how you are, and also to hear from you some better prospects about Miss Edwards' health than I gathered from Miss Davies, who told me the other day of Miss E's consumptive symptoms. 845 I had imagined her to be a strong woman.
We have been having a little company, and are rejoicing to think that our duties of this sort are done for the present. We like our studies and our dual solitude too well to feel company desirable more than one day a week.
Nevertheless, I hope you will stray to London some time soon and interrupt us. I saw your house in Blandford Sq. lit up the other evening as we passed it, so I conclude that Mr. Hastings 846 is still inhabiting it, but I understood from you that he would be tenant for only a few weeks, so that if you are inclined to try London I suppose there will be no obstacle in your way.
Mr. Burton has been come back from Ireland some weeks. He looks exceedingly well in health -- quite robust. And he has painted a portrait in Ireland, so that I hope he has now made the beginning in a new era of work. I have not seen him except when other friends have been present, and have not been able to talk to him, except as one of a circle. G. has been to see his old friend W. B. Scott 847 and is delighted to see his achievements as a painter. Also he (Mr. Scott) has dined with us and has charmed me by his simplicity and genuine talk.
George sends his love, which this evening is happily not headachy love. I wish our affection may be with you as some little cheering influence through the dark months. We hardly estimate enough the difference of feeling that would come to us if we did not imagine friendly souls scattered here and there in places that make the chief part of the world so far as we have known it.
Ever yours
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 12 December 1868, 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/93025