GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 17 January 1878
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 17 January 1878
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 17 January 1878
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1878-01-17
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 17 January 1878
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Extracts published: Cross, III, 324-325.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
January 17. 78.
Dearest Barbara
I wish with all my heart that our house (at Witley, of course, you mean) could be ready to receive you at the end of March. But it will not be furnished -- I fear, even, it will not be dry by that time. Some building that is now going on will not, according to contract, be finished until February 3. 6 and after that there is colouring, papering, painting etc. to be done before beds, chairs, and tables can be got into it. I am very sorry. You said, I remember, that you would like to try that neighbourhood, and it seems to me that another house thereabout might be found for you by the time you will want it. There are various pretty houses to be let for months or seasons -- some of them frequently inhabited by artists -- about Haslemere, Godalming and Witley.
I was delighted to see your handwriting -- still more to read your cheerful news, which was a much needed bulletin, Miss Greatorex 7 not having yet made her appearance. Please give my love to Miss Marks, and grateful regards to Miss Scott for watching over you. Mr. and Mrs. Allingham were here the Sunday before last, both looking admirably well and in great force. Mrs. Allingham asked anxiously for news of you, but my latest then was Miss Marks's letter.
Yes -- it is a comfort to one in the midst of so many dispiriting European signs, that France has come so far through her struggle. And no doubt you are rejoicing too that London University has opened all its degrees to women.
On the other and gloomy side, poor Octavia Hill is peremptorily ordered away from her work by the doctor, and is going to start for Italy next Monday. 8
I think we know no reading more amusing than the Times just now. [Les 'c9preuves de Ra'efssa] by Henry Gr'e9ville, 9 is a French novel turning on Russian life which we have just had from the London Library, but it has no merit beyond theatrical cleverness. We are deep among the gravities now. I have been reading aloud Green's first vol. of his new, larger History of the English People, 10 and this evening have begun Lecky's Hist. of England in the XVIIIth century 11 -- in fact we are dull old fogies who are ill-informed about anything that is going on of an amusing kind. On Monday we took a youth to the Pantomime, but I found it a melancholy business. The dear old story of Puss in Boots was mishandled in an exasperating way, and every incident as well as pretence of a character turned into a motive for the most vulgar kind of dancing. I came away with a sick headache from which I am only today recovered. It is too cruel that one can't get anything innocent as a spectacle for the children!
If I have an opportunity of getting news about a house likely to suit you, I will let you have the information at once.
Mr. Lewes sends his best love, but is quite barren of suggestions about books -- buried in pink and lilac periodicals of a physiological sort, and preoccupied with the case of a man who has an artificial larynx with which he talks very well. 12 What do you say to the Phonograph, 13 which can report gentlemen's bad speeches with all their stammering?
Your always loving
M. E. L.
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Extracts published: Cross, III, 324-325.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
January 17. 78.
Dearest Barbara
I wish with all my heart that our house (at Witley, of course, you mean) could be ready to receive you at the end of March. But it will not be furnished -- I fear, even, it will not be dry by that time. Some building that is now going on will not, according to contract, be finished until February 3. 6 and after that there is colouring, papering, painting etc. to be done before beds, chairs, and tables can be got into it. I am very sorry. You said, I remember, that you would like to try that neighbourhood, and it seems to me that another house thereabout might be found for you by the time you will want it. There are various pretty houses to be let for months or seasons -- some of them frequently inhabited by artists -- about Haslemere, Godalming and Witley.
I was delighted to see your handwriting -- still more to read your cheerful news, which was a much needed bulletin, Miss Greatorex 7 not having yet made her appearance. Please give my love to Miss Marks, and grateful regards to Miss Scott for watching over you. Mr. and Mrs. Allingham were here the Sunday before last, both looking admirably well and in great force. Mrs. Allingham asked anxiously for news of you, but my latest then was Miss Marks's letter.
Yes -- it is a comfort to one in the midst of so many dispiriting European signs, that France has come so far through her struggle. And no doubt you are rejoicing too that London University has opened all its degrees to women.
On the other and gloomy side, poor Octavia Hill is peremptorily ordered away from her work by the doctor, and is going to start for Italy next Monday. 8
I think we know no reading more amusing than the Times just now. [Les 'c9preuves de Ra'efssa] by Henry Gr'e9ville, 9 is a French novel turning on Russian life which we have just had from the London Library, but it has no merit beyond theatrical cleverness. We are deep among the gravities now. I have been reading aloud Green's first vol. of his new, larger History of the English People, 10 and this evening have begun Lecky's Hist. of England in the XVIIIth century 11 -- in fact we are dull old fogies who are ill-informed about anything that is going on of an amusing kind. On Monday we took a youth to the Pantomime, but I found it a melancholy business. The dear old story of Puss in Boots was mishandled in an exasperating way, and every incident as well as pretence of a character turned into a motive for the most vulgar kind of dancing. I came away with a sick headache from which I am only today recovered. It is too cruel that one can't get anything innocent as a spectacle for the children!
If I have an opportunity of getting news about a house likely to suit you, I will let you have the information at once.
Mr. Lewes sends his best love, but is quite barren of suggestions about books -- buried in pink and lilac periodicals of a physiological sort, and preoccupied with the case of a man who has an artificial larynx with which he talks very well. 12 What do you say to the Phonograph, 13 which can report gentlemen's bad speeches with all their stammering?
Your always loving
M. E. L.
Signature
M. E. L.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 17 January 1878, 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/93037