GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 9 April 1861
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 9 April 1861
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 9 April 1861
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1861-04-09
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 9 April 1861
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Hitherto unpublished.
Blandford Square | April 9. 61.
Dear Barbara
The possibility of our not seeing you is almost the only regret I feel that we are going to run away from London for two months. I am only just able to tell you the exact time, for our departure has hitherto been dependent on unsettled matters, about our Edinburgh boy. 736 We are to set off on the 18th -- or, perhaps, the 19th Thursday or Friday week. That will be too early for any chance of our meeting you on the way, but I preserve a hope that you may still be in London on our return. We are almost sure to be at home again by, if not before, the end of June.
Bessie has sent me tickets for a private view of your pictures, 737 and I am particularly glad to be among the privileged, since we are to start so soon.
This morning there came a letter in an envelope with the Matlock postmark, and addressed in a handwriting strange to me. The letter was written by you to a certain "Dear Florence." I didn't read it, but seeing Bessie's name near the end, I have just sent it to her, hoping she may know what to do with it.
I think of you a good deal, dear Barbara -- sometimes with a mingling of sadness at some things that touch you nearly. But there are so many chords in your life, that some joy and consolation lies by the side of every grief. But your having any grief makes me all the more sorry not to be sure of seeing you.
Tell your sister, with my love, that I was very pleased to have the caricatures -- pleased to be remembered in that way, and amused with the images of dear Bessie. I feel a sort of sick longing at the faintest sketch suggesting a broad sky and a distance, this London life oppresses and depresses me so terribly.
What a story that is about the Frenchwoman and her dress! I see no immediate prospect for us but the spread of that mania. There is
everything at work to drive women's unsatisfied diseased longings into that channel, and I really feel almost guilty when I buy a gown or bonnet with any approximation to fashion in it. I am not sure that one ought not to rush into some sort of new Quakerism as a counteraction and a protest.
Mr. Lewes is gone to the Museum for me -- else he would send his love with mine to the Doctor and you. God bless you. You are very near to your affectionate
Marian.
P.S. It has just occurred to me that I have not told you where we are going. To Florence -- by the Corniche -- and then back through Switzerland, just to see Bertie the youngest boy, who is still at Hofwyl.
You did talk of going to Switzerland this summer. If you can't write to me so that the letter would reach me before the 18th, one addressed to the Post Restante, Florence, would find me. We shall probably stay at Thun for a day or two, and have Bertie there.
Miss Ellen Allen 738 called when I was away last week. I shall try to see her on Friday, but I am rather embarassed with engagements just now. I should like to go to the school on Friday morning, if I could, and hear those young voices.
Thanks for letting me see the letter to Miss Longdon. 739 Any scrap about you and yours has interest for us. We have no clouds -- except such as come from feebleness of body. All is well besides. Charlie will keep house alone, while we are away, and would feel himself honoured and happy if you and the Doctor would once shine on him when you come to town. He is only at home in the latter part of the day, you know -- after 'bd past four. He always seizes your name when we mention it, as an opportunity of saying something admiring about you; so that, if once, when you are passing the door, you could look at him and shake him by the hand, you would be doing a deed like yourself -- kind and pretty. He is going to work like a negro at his music while we are away, and have lessons, so that his time will be filled up.
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Hitherto unpublished.
Blandford Square | April 9. 61.
Dear Barbara
The possibility of our not seeing you is almost the only regret I feel that we are going to run away from London for two months. I am only just able to tell you the exact time, for our departure has hitherto been dependent on unsettled matters, about our Edinburgh boy. 736 We are to set off on the 18th -- or, perhaps, the 19th Thursday or Friday week. That will be too early for any chance of our meeting you on the way, but I preserve a hope that you may still be in London on our return. We are almost sure to be at home again by, if not before, the end of June.
Bessie has sent me tickets for a private view of your pictures, 737 and I am particularly glad to be among the privileged, since we are to start so soon.
This morning there came a letter in an envelope with the Matlock postmark, and addressed in a handwriting strange to me. The letter was written by you to a certain "Dear Florence." I didn't read it, but seeing Bessie's name near the end, I have just sent it to her, hoping she may know what to do with it.
I think of you a good deal, dear Barbara -- sometimes with a mingling of sadness at some things that touch you nearly. But there are so many chords in your life, that some joy and consolation lies by the side of every grief. But your having any grief makes me all the more sorry not to be sure of seeing you.
Tell your sister, with my love, that I was very pleased to have the caricatures -- pleased to be remembered in that way, and amused with the images of dear Bessie. I feel a sort of sick longing at the faintest sketch suggesting a broad sky and a distance, this London life oppresses and depresses me so terribly.
What a story that is about the Frenchwoman and her dress! I see no immediate prospect for us but the spread of that mania. There is
everything at work to drive women's unsatisfied diseased longings into that channel, and I really feel almost guilty when I buy a gown or bonnet with any approximation to fashion in it. I am not sure that one ought not to rush into some sort of new Quakerism as a counteraction and a protest.
Mr. Lewes is gone to the Museum for me -- else he would send his love with mine to the Doctor and you. God bless you. You are very near to your affectionate
Marian.
P.S. It has just occurred to me that I have not told you where we are going. To Florence -- by the Corniche -- and then back through Switzerland, just to see Bertie the youngest boy, who is still at Hofwyl.
You did talk of going to Switzerland this summer. If you can't write to me so that the letter would reach me before the 18th, one addressed to the Post Restante, Florence, would find me. We shall probably stay at Thun for a day or two, and have Bertie there.
Miss Ellen Allen 738 called when I was away last week. I shall try to see her on Friday, but I am rather embarassed with engagements just now. I should like to go to the school on Friday morning, if I could, and hear those young voices.
Thanks for letting me see the letter to Miss Longdon. 739 Any scrap about you and yours has interest for us. We have no clouds -- except such as come from feebleness of body. All is well besides. Charlie will keep house alone, while we are away, and would feel himself honoured and happy if you and the Doctor would once shine on him when you come to town. He is only at home in the latter part of the day, you know -- after 'bd past four. He always seizes your name when we mention it, as an opportunity of saying something admiring about you; so that, if once, when you are passing the door, you could look at him and shake him by the hand, you would be doing a deed like yourself -- kind and pretty. He is going to work like a negro at his music while we are away, and have lessons, so that his time will be filled up.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, London, 9 April 1861, 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/93072