GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 5 May 1880
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 5 May 1880
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 5 May 1880
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1880-05-05
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 5 May 1880
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Envelope: Madame Bodichon | Scalands Gate | Robertsbridge | Hawkhurst. Postmarks: ST. JOHNS WOOD N.W. | A ZX | JY 7 | 80; [HAWKHUR]ST-GREEN [SUS]SEX | B | JY 8 | 80; [RO]BERTSBRIDGE | B | JY | 80. Endorsed: I have today found this in a drawer in the desk in the dining room. This explains the mystery. C.L.L. Written May 5. B.L.S.B. Mostly published: Cross, III, 391-392.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
May 5. 80.
My dear Barbara
I have something to tell you which will doubtless be a great surprize to you, but since I have found that other friends, less acquainted with me and my life than you are, have given me their sympathy, I think that I can count on yours. I am going to do what not very long ago I should myself have pronounced impossible for me, and therefore I should not wonder at anyone else who found my action incomprehensible. By the time you receive this letter 401 I shall (so far as the future can be matter of assertion) have been married to Mr. J. W. Cross, who you know is a friend of years, a friend much loved and trusted by Mr. Lewes, and who now that I am alone sees his happiness in the dedication of his life to me. This change in my position will make no change in my care for Mr. Lewes's family and in the ultimate disposition of my property. 402 Mr. Cross has a sufficient fortune of his own.
We are going abroad for a few months, and I shall not return to live at this house. Mr. Cross has taken the lease of a house in Cheyne Walk (No. 4), Chelsea, where we shall spend the winter and early spring, making Witley our summer home.
You will like to hear that Charles has shown a quite perfect feeling in relation to this unexpected event, and if you would like to write or in any way communicate with him your wish for further knowledge, he will I am sure readily respond to your wish.
I indulge the hope that you will some day look at the river from the windows of our Chelsea house which is rather quaint and picturesque.
Please tell Bessie for me, with my love to her. I cannot write to more than two or three 403 persons.
Ever yours lovingly
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Envelope: Madame Bodichon | Scalands Gate | Robertsbridge | Hawkhurst. Postmarks: ST. JOHNS WOOD N.W. | A ZX | JY 7 | 80; [HAWKHUR]ST-GREEN [SUS]SEX | B | JY 8 | 80; [RO]BERTSBRIDGE | B | JY | 80. Endorsed: I have today found this in a drawer in the desk in the dining room. This explains the mystery. C.L.L. Written May 5. B.L.S.B. Mostly published: Cross, III, 391-392.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
May 5. 80.
My dear Barbara
I have something to tell you which will doubtless be a great surprize to you, but since I have found that other friends, less acquainted with me and my life than you are, have given me their sympathy, I think that I can count on yours. I am going to do what not very long ago I should myself have pronounced impossible for me, and therefore I should not wonder at anyone else who found my action incomprehensible. By the time you receive this letter 401 I shall (so far as the future can be matter of assertion) have been married to Mr. J. W. Cross, who you know is a friend of years, a friend much loved and trusted by Mr. Lewes, and who now that I am alone sees his happiness in the dedication of his life to me. This change in my position will make no change in my care for Mr. Lewes's family and in the ultimate disposition of my property. 402 Mr. Cross has a sufficient fortune of his own.
We are going abroad for a few months, and I shall not return to live at this house. Mr. Cross has taken the lease of a house in Cheyne Walk (No. 4), Chelsea, where we shall spend the winter and early spring, making Witley our summer home.
You will like to hear that Charles has shown a quite perfect feeling in relation to this unexpected event, and if you would like to write or in any way communicate with him your wish for further knowledge, he will I am sure readily respond to your wish.
I indulge the hope that you will some day look at the river from the windows of our Chelsea house which is rather quaint and picturesque.
Please tell Bessie for me, with my love to her. I cannot write to more than two or three 403 persons.
Ever yours lovingly
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 5 May 1880, 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/93068