GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Gorey, 5 June 1857
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Gorey, 5 June 1857
Title
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Gorey, 5 June 1857
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray
Date(s)
- 1857-06-05
Place
Gorey
Letter Content
GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Gorey, 5 June 1857
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, I, 454-455.
Rosa Cottage | Gorey | Jersey | June 5. 57.
Dear Cara
I could have wished myself at Richmond even in this hot weather for the sake of seeing you, 880 but no pleasure short of that could have made me wish to be in the hazy atmosphere of London environs. Richmond is not fascinating in "the season" or through the summer -- it is hot, noisy and haunted with cockneys; but at other times we love the Park with an increasing love, and we have such a kind good landlady 881 there that it always seems like going home when we return to Park Shot. She writes to us "I hope you will make your fortune -- but you must always live with me," which, considering that she gets less out of us than other lodgers is a proof of affection in a landlady. We shall be obliged to return thither in the middle or at the end of July on business matters, but for a short time only; for at the end of August Mr. Lewes is going to take Bertie 882 the 'abeld'bb youngest boy to join his elder brothers at Hofwyl, and we shall if possible remain in Germany till the end of October. Yes! we like our wandering life at present; it is fructifying and brings us material in many ways; but we keep in perspective the idea of a cottage among green fields and cows, where we mean to settle down (after we have once been to Italy) and buy pots and kettles and keep a dog. The boys are going on so well at Hofwyl, and write charming letters. They are sweet-natured clever lads; the third, Bertie, has been sickly and stupid at books hitherto, but there is no knowing what boys and girls will turn into.
Wherever we are, we work hard -- and at work which brings present money; for we have too many depending on us to be dilettanti or idlers. By the way, before I leave talking about myself, your mention of Mr. Noel reminds me to say that Sara gave him a letter which I did not in the least intend him to see, 883 though I did not like to vex her by saying so at the time. He might infer from it that I invited him to come and call upon us. Now I should never invite any one, and it was only because Mr. Bray wrote me word that Mr. Noel had tried to find me at Richmond and expressed a wish to shake me by the hand again, that I thought it right to meet that friendliness by saying that I should be glad to see him, and to write to Sara a caution which, if he spoke of calling, she might communicate to him. The matter is of no importance, only I wish it to be understood, that I should never invite any one to come and see me who did not ask for the invitation.
Your gossip was very interesting to us, for we hear scarcely anything but what gets into the weekly newspapers, and not much of that. We had only heard of Miss Lynn, that she was going to marry Linton, the engraver. 884 Your description of her devotion to those seven children is very pretty. Her large-hearted energy is something to admire and love her for. I laughed heartily at the Brabantian 885 recitation which "sounds very grand on the other side of the wall."
Mrs. John Cash writes to me with such exquisite feeling that I can't help copying you a bit of her letter. She says -- "I hope you believe I value as highly as ever our dear neighbours. I could never have trusted such good fortune would befal me as to live next door to them, which is far more to me than living in this lovely garden. Of course I felt very much taking their place. It seemed as if the glory had departed to Ivy Cottage, but Mr. Bray is so beautifully generous through it all, takes such an interest in the place still and in our enjoyment of it, and does so fully appreciate my dear husband's character, that the change has not been so painful as friends at a distance might suppose." Is not that bien dit et bien senti? I write to her separately by the same post, for, having been out in a boat yesterday and made myself ill 886 I have a large amount of headache to bestow on correspondents. 887
You wonder how my face has changed in the last three years. Doubtless it is older and uglier, but it ought not to have a bad expression, for I never have anything to call out my ill-humour or discontent -- which you know were always ready enough to come on slight call -- and I have everything to call out love and gratitude. I seem to have said nothing, yet here I am at the end of my sheet. My best love and Mr. Lewes's kind regards to Mr. Bray. I must give the other sheet to Sara.
Ever your affectionate
Marian.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, I, 454-455.
Rosa Cottage | Gorey | Jersey | June 5. 57.
Dear Cara
I could have wished myself at Richmond even in this hot weather for the sake of seeing you, 880 but no pleasure short of that could have made me wish to be in the hazy atmosphere of London environs. Richmond is not fascinating in "the season" or through the summer -- it is hot, noisy and haunted with cockneys; but at other times we love the Park with an increasing love, and we have such a kind good landlady 881 there that it always seems like going home when we return to Park Shot. She writes to us "I hope you will make your fortune -- but you must always live with me," which, considering that she gets less out of us than other lodgers is a proof of affection in a landlady. We shall be obliged to return thither in the middle or at the end of July on business matters, but for a short time only; for at the end of August Mr. Lewes is going to take Bertie 882 the 'abeld'bb youngest boy to join his elder brothers at Hofwyl, and we shall if possible remain in Germany till the end of October. Yes! we like our wandering life at present; it is fructifying and brings us material in many ways; but we keep in perspective the idea of a cottage among green fields and cows, where we mean to settle down (after we have once been to Italy) and buy pots and kettles and keep a dog. The boys are going on so well at Hofwyl, and write charming letters. They are sweet-natured clever lads; the third, Bertie, has been sickly and stupid at books hitherto, but there is no knowing what boys and girls will turn into.
Wherever we are, we work hard -- and at work which brings present money; for we have too many depending on us to be dilettanti or idlers. By the way, before I leave talking about myself, your mention of Mr. Noel reminds me to say that Sara gave him a letter which I did not in the least intend him to see, 883 though I did not like to vex her by saying so at the time. He might infer from it that I invited him to come and call upon us. Now I should never invite any one, and it was only because Mr. Bray wrote me word that Mr. Noel had tried to find me at Richmond and expressed a wish to shake me by the hand again, that I thought it right to meet that friendliness by saying that I should be glad to see him, and to write to Sara a caution which, if he spoke of calling, she might communicate to him. The matter is of no importance, only I wish it to be understood, that I should never invite any one to come and see me who did not ask for the invitation.
Your gossip was very interesting to us, for we hear scarcely anything but what gets into the weekly newspapers, and not much of that. We had only heard of Miss Lynn, that she was going to marry Linton, the engraver. 884 Your description of her devotion to those seven children is very pretty. Her large-hearted energy is something to admire and love her for. I laughed heartily at the Brabantian 885 recitation which "sounds very grand on the other side of the wall."
Mrs. John Cash writes to me with such exquisite feeling that I can't help copying you a bit of her letter. She says -- "I hope you believe I value as highly as ever our dear neighbours. I could never have trusted such good fortune would befal me as to live next door to them, which is far more to me than living in this lovely garden. Of course I felt very much taking their place. It seemed as if the glory had departed to Ivy Cottage, but Mr. Bray is so beautifully generous through it all, takes such an interest in the place still and in our enjoyment of it, and does so fully appreciate my dear husband's character, that the change has not been so painful as friends at a distance might suppose." Is not that bien dit et bien senti? I write to her separately by the same post, for, having been out in a boat yesterday and made myself ill 886 I have a large amount of headache to bestow on correspondents. 887
You wonder how my face has changed in the last three years. Doubtless it is older and uglier, but it ought not to have a bad expression, for I never have anything to call out my ill-humour or discontent -- which you know were always ready enough to come on slight call -- and I have everything to call out love and gratitude. I seem to have said nothing, yet here I am at the end of my sheet. My best love and Mr. Lewes's kind regards to Mr. Bray. I must give the other sheet to Sara.
Ever your affectionate
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, Gorey, 5 June 1857, 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/93239