GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 25 November [1869]
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 25 November [1869]
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 25 November [1869]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1869-11-25
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 25 November [1869]
MS: Huntington Library. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory | 21 North Bank | November 25.
My dear Barbara
I am very glad to know where you are, and to know also that you are in enjoyable circumstances. We have been at home since the beginning of last week, having benefited greatly by the beautiful quietude of Limpsfield, a delicious spot in Surrey far away even from the sound of railways. The air of London is always depressing, by comparison, but we retain some of our country vigour -- George, especially, seems to have shown improvement since his return. We are beginning to see our friends again, and externally our life is becoming what it used to be. But I have a deep sense of change within, and of a permanently closer companionship with death.
The months pass so quickly that it will not seem long before you are with us again. Mr. Burton sent me a letter to Limpsfield in which he expressed his regret that he had not been able to see you before his departure. I shall write to him by and by, to Naples, where he expected to be at the end of the year. He seemed, the last time I saw him, to be much exhilarated by the prospect of his journey, and I do hope that nothing will happen to spoil his pleasure.
It delights me to hear that the Doctor enjoyed his summer, and his having an easy passage will perhaps defer the need for you to make new arrangements as to a summer residence.
We are not likely to move again during the winter. Mr. Lewes's mother is a tie that makes a distant journey uneasy to us.
Please to paint the afternoon sunlight gleaming on the sails of the fishing-boats, from under a lifted cloud.
Always your loving
Marian.
The Meltray book or pamphlet is not yet come.
MS: Huntington Library. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory | 21 North Bank | November 25.
My dear Barbara
I am very glad to know where you are, and to know also that you are in enjoyable circumstances. We have been at home since the beginning of last week, having benefited greatly by the beautiful quietude of Limpsfield, a delicious spot in Surrey far away even from the sound of railways. The air of London is always depressing, by comparison, but we retain some of our country vigour -- George, especially, seems to have shown improvement since his return. We are beginning to see our friends again, and externally our life is becoming what it used to be. But I have a deep sense of change within, and of a permanently closer companionship with death.
The months pass so quickly that it will not seem long before you are with us again. Mr. Burton sent me a letter to Limpsfield in which he expressed his regret that he had not been able to see you before his departure. I shall write to him by and by, to Naples, where he expected to be at the end of the year. He seemed, the last time I saw him, to be much exhilarated by the prospect of his journey, and I do hope that nothing will happen to spoil his pleasure.
It delights me to hear that the Doctor enjoyed his summer, and his having an easy passage will perhaps defer the need for you to make new arrangements as to a summer residence.
We are not likely to move again during the winter. Mr. Lewes's mother is a tie that makes a distant journey uneasy to us.
Please to paint the afternoon sunlight gleaming on the sails of the fishing-boats, from under a lifted cloud.
Always your loving
Marian.
The Meltray book or pamphlet is not yet come.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 25 November [1869], 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/93048