GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Wandsworth, 5 September 1860
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Wandsworth, 5 September 1860
Title
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Wandsworth, 5 September 1860
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon
Date(s)
- 1860-09-05
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Wandsworth, 5 September 1860
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Extracts published: Cross, II, 273-274.
Holly Lodge | September 5. 60.
Dear Barbara
My fingers have been itching to write to you for the last week and more, but I have waited and waited, hoping to be able to tell you that we had decided on our future house. This evening, however, I have been reading your description of Algiers and the desire to thank you for it moves me too strongly to be resisted. It is admirably written and makes me see the country. I am so glad to think of the deep draughts of life you get from being able to spend half your year in that fresh, grand scenery. It must make London and English green fields all the more enjoyable in their turn.
As for us, we are preparing to renounce the delights of roving and settle down quietly, as old folks should do, for the benefit of the young ones. We have let our present house, 626 and after endless searching and doubting, we have come at last to think it will be the best policy to buy a house, since we have found one near Regent's Park to suit our taste. It is a better house than I care to have, but as it is more shut out than anything we have seen, and as, by buying it, we shall be paying no more rent for it than for an inferior house of which we should only be tenants, I accept the luxury that I really am indifferent about. It is in Park Village West, close to Gloucester Gate. We have made an offer for it, 627 but the answer is not yet come, and moreover, the place must be surveyed by a builder before we can come to a final decision; so, after all, we may have to give up the plan and adopt another.
Is it not cheering to have the sunshine on the corn, and the prospect that the poor people will not have to endure the suffering that comes on them from a bad harvest? The fields that were so sadly beaten down a little while ago, on the way to town, are now standing in fine yellow shocks.
I wish you could know how much we felt your kindness to Charley. He is such a dear good fellow that nothing is thrown away upon him.
Write me a scrap of news about yourself, and tell me how you and the Doctor are enjoying the country. I shall get a breath of it in that way. I think I love the fields and shudder at the streets more and more every month.
George unites with me in all respect and affection to you and yours -- and in longing for some sign of your existence. Think of us as often as you can and cherish every spark of affection for
Yours ever
M. E. Lewes.
Thank you for sending me Mrs. Howitt's letter. Her suggestion of the triad of young men at Sydenham was not available.
MS: Mr. Philip Leigh-Smith. Extracts published: Cross, II, 273-274.
Holly Lodge | September 5. 60.
Dear Barbara
My fingers have been itching to write to you for the last week and more, but I have waited and waited, hoping to be able to tell you that we had decided on our future house. This evening, however, I have been reading your description of Algiers and the desire to thank you for it moves me too strongly to be resisted. It is admirably written and makes me see the country. I am so glad to think of the deep draughts of life you get from being able to spend half your year in that fresh, grand scenery. It must make London and English green fields all the more enjoyable in their turn.
As for us, we are preparing to renounce the delights of roving and settle down quietly, as old folks should do, for the benefit of the young ones. We have let our present house, 626 and after endless searching and doubting, we have come at last to think it will be the best policy to buy a house, since we have found one near Regent's Park to suit our taste. It is a better house than I care to have, but as it is more shut out than anything we have seen, and as, by buying it, we shall be paying no more rent for it than for an inferior house of which we should only be tenants, I accept the luxury that I really am indifferent about. It is in Park Village West, close to Gloucester Gate. We have made an offer for it, 627 but the answer is not yet come, and moreover, the place must be surveyed by a builder before we can come to a final decision; so, after all, we may have to give up the plan and adopt another.
Is it not cheering to have the sunshine on the corn, and the prospect that the poor people will not have to endure the suffering that comes on them from a bad harvest? The fields that were so sadly beaten down a little while ago, on the way to town, are now standing in fine yellow shocks.
I wish you could know how much we felt your kindness to Charley. He is such a dear good fellow that nothing is thrown away upon him.
Write me a scrap of news about yourself, and tell me how you and the Doctor are enjoying the country. I shall get a breath of it in that way. I think I love the fields and shudder at the streets more and more every month.
George unites with me in all respect and affection to you and yours -- and in longing for some sign of your existence. Think of us as often as you can and cherish every spark of affection for
Yours ever
M. E. Lewes.
Thank you for sending me Mrs. Howitt's letter. Her suggestion of the triad of young men at Sydenham was not available.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Barbara [Mme Eugene] Bodichon, Wandsworth, 5 September 1860, 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/93096