GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, [London, 30 March 1852]
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, [London, 30 March 1852]
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, [London, 30 March 1852]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray
Date(s)
- 1852-03-30
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, [London, 30 March 1852]
MS: Yale. Extract published: Cross, 1, 273-274.
Tuesday.
Dear Cara
I had two offers last night -- not of marriage, but of music -- which I find it impossible to resist. Mr. Herbert Spencer proposed to take me on Thursday to hear William Tell, 47 and Miss Parkes asked me to go with her to hear the Creation on Friday. 48 I have had so little music this quarter and these two things are so exactly what I should like that I have determined to put off, for the sake of them, my other pleasure of seeing you. So pray keep your precious welcome warm for me until Saturday, when I shall positively set off by the 2 o'clock train. 49 Miss Martineau (Harriet) has written me a most cordial invitation to go and see her 50 before July, but that is impossible. She has made me joint trustee with Mr. Atkinson of the fund for the publication of Comte. 51 I liked Atkinson very well the other day. You see I am cautious. Of new acquaintances one can never be sure because one likes them one day that it will be so the next. Of old friends one is sure that it will be the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Love to Mr. Bray and Sara. I have not written to the latter this long time because I have been busy -- but my heart has been inditing of many a good matter 52 to her.
Thy affectionate
Marian
MS: Yale. Extract published: Cross, 1, 273-274.
Tuesday.
Dear Cara
I had two offers last night -- not of marriage, but of music -- which I find it impossible to resist. Mr. Herbert Spencer proposed to take me on Thursday to hear William Tell, 47 and Miss Parkes asked me to go with her to hear the Creation on Friday. 48 I have had so little music this quarter and these two things are so exactly what I should like that I have determined to put off, for the sake of them, my other pleasure of seeing you. So pray keep your precious welcome warm for me until Saturday, when I shall positively set off by the 2 o'clock train. 49 Miss Martineau (Harriet) has written me a most cordial invitation to go and see her 50 before July, but that is impossible. She has made me joint trustee with Mr. Atkinson of the fund for the publication of Comte. 51 I liked Atkinson very well the other day. You see I am cautious. Of new acquaintances one can never be sure because one likes them one day that it will be so the next. Of old friends one is sure that it will be the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Love to Mr. Bray and Sara. I have not written to the latter this long time because I have been busy -- but my heart has been inditing of many a good matter 52 to her.
Thy affectionate
Marian
Signature
Marian
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, [London, 30 March 1852], 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/93221