GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Wandsworth, 11 August [1859]
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Wandsworth, 11 August [1859]
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Wandsworth, 11 August [1859]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1859-08-11
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Wandsworth, 11 August [1859]
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Hitherto unpublished.
Holly Lodge. August 11.
Dearest Barbara
I think we shall use the tickets ourselves, 248 since it is so easy to turn in at Pall Mall, when we are next in town.
An artist-friend of ours -- Mr. F. W. Burton 249 -- a nice creature, expressed high admiration of your pictures -- didn't care about the want of finish in some of them -- they had finer qualities than that of finish -- he felt they were done on the spot under true inspiration.
Thanks for the pictures of Nannie in the letters; they amused and interested us immensely. The '91bare legs'92 especially is a detail that delights me: the wind suddenly betraying them to the horror of an on-looking friend is a delicious touch.
I do wish much to see more of human life 250 -- how can one see enough in the short years one has to stay in this world? But I meant, that at present my mind works with the most freedom and the keenest sense of poetry in my remotest past, and there are many strata to be worked through before I can begin to use artistically any material I may gather in the present.
Curiously enough, 'e0 propos of your remark about '91Adam Bede'92 251 there is much less "out of my own life" in that book -- i.e. the materials are much more a combination from imperfectly known and widely sundered elements than the "Clerical Scenes."
I'm so glad you have enjoyed these -- so thankful for the words you write me.
It was my fault that the volume of the Phys[iology] 252 was brought back again. Come and fetch it. I am very tired and hotheaded at this close of the morning, so I find myself writing you nothing at all, when I meant to say a great deal.
Farewell. Write again before long, because it is cheering to hear of you --
Ever yours
Marian.
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Hitherto unpublished.
Holly Lodge. August 11.
Dearest Barbara
I think we shall use the tickets ourselves, 248 since it is so easy to turn in at Pall Mall, when we are next in town.
An artist-friend of ours -- Mr. F. W. Burton 249 -- a nice creature, expressed high admiration of your pictures -- didn't care about the want of finish in some of them -- they had finer qualities than that of finish -- he felt they were done on the spot under true inspiration.
Thanks for the pictures of Nannie in the letters; they amused and interested us immensely. The '91bare legs'92 especially is a detail that delights me: the wind suddenly betraying them to the horror of an on-looking friend is a delicious touch.
I do wish much to see more of human life 250 -- how can one see enough in the short years one has to stay in this world? But I meant, that at present my mind works with the most freedom and the keenest sense of poetry in my remotest past, and there are many strata to be worked through before I can begin to use artistically any material I may gather in the present.
Curiously enough, 'e0 propos of your remark about '91Adam Bede'92 251 there is much less "out of my own life" in that book -- i.e. the materials are much more a combination from imperfectly known and widely sundered elements than the "Clerical Scenes."
I'm so glad you have enjoyed these -- so thankful for the words you write me.
It was my fault that the volume of the Phys[iology] 252 was brought back again. Come and fetch it. I am very tired and hotheaded at this close of the morning, so I find myself writing you nothing at all, when I meant to say a great deal.
Farewell. Write again before long, because it is cheering to hear of you --
Ever yours
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Wandsworth, 11 August [1859], 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/93091