GE to Fanny [Mrs. Henry] Houghton, Coventry, [July 1851]
Title
GE to Fanny [Mrs. Henry] Houghton, Coventry, [July 1851]
Title
GE to Fanny [Mrs. Henry] Houghton, Coventry, [July 1851]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Fanny [Mrs. Henry] Houghton
Date(s)
- 1851-07
Place
Coventry
Letter Content
GE to Fanny [Mrs. Henry] Houghton, Coventry, [July 1851]
MS: Miss Dorothy Evans. Hitherto unpublished.
Rosehill | Wednesday.
Dear Fanny
How have the weeks passed with you since we parted? I shall venture to tell you how mine have passed without your asking me. The week I was here after leaving you we had an interesting visit from two gentlemen -- one an elder brother of Mr. Noel's 982 who has been living in Bohemia many years -- the other a Dr. Springer 983 a Bohemian patriot -- a man of great talent and acquirements with the finest possible eyes -- such eyes as do not grow in England. The next week I duly paid my visit to Mrs. Pears who was as affectionate and good as ever. Then I came back and found the inmates returned. Mr. Bray has given up his study to me and I am as snug as possible -- my friends are kindest of the kind and the place looks very calm and pretty. So I try to enjoy the good the gods have provided for me without yearning after the unattainable. I shall at all events stay here a month or two. Indeed to move any where just now would be the greatest of evils to me.
But my prime anxiety at this moment is not at all myself but Chrissey -- that is her husband. I have had a note from her this morning in which she tells me that "he is very poorly. With all the symptoms of his last serious illness -- he is gone out this morning to see his patients, and I trust he may be better tomorrow, but I am very much afraid he will not." Poor dear -- this is a fearful anxiety for her.
How are you? And Henry -- is he gone to Harrowgate? You must positively write to me however great your disinclination, for my getting to Willenhall is quite hopeless. My legs ache horribly either from the weather or from age.
I suppose Jane 984 has not been to see you yet. Now you are not to wait ten days before you write to me or I will not believe you love me -- I cannot threaten you that I will not love you for that will not depend on my will. I cannot help loving other people whether they love me or not.
Mary Ann.
MS: Miss Dorothy Evans. Hitherto unpublished.
Rosehill | Wednesday.
Dear Fanny
How have the weeks passed with you since we parted? I shall venture to tell you how mine have passed without your asking me. The week I was here after leaving you we had an interesting visit from two gentlemen -- one an elder brother of Mr. Noel's 982 who has been living in Bohemia many years -- the other a Dr. Springer 983 a Bohemian patriot -- a man of great talent and acquirements with the finest possible eyes -- such eyes as do not grow in England. The next week I duly paid my visit to Mrs. Pears who was as affectionate and good as ever. Then I came back and found the inmates returned. Mr. Bray has given up his study to me and I am as snug as possible -- my friends are kindest of the kind and the place looks very calm and pretty. So I try to enjoy the good the gods have provided for me without yearning after the unattainable. I shall at all events stay here a month or two. Indeed to move any where just now would be the greatest of evils to me.
But my prime anxiety at this moment is not at all myself but Chrissey -- that is her husband. I have had a note from her this morning in which she tells me that "he is very poorly. With all the symptoms of his last serious illness -- he is gone out this morning to see his patients, and I trust he may be better tomorrow, but I am very much afraid he will not." Poor dear -- this is a fearful anxiety for her.
How are you? And Henry -- is he gone to Harrowgate? You must positively write to me however great your disinclination, for my getting to Willenhall is quite hopeless. My legs ache horribly either from the weather or from age.
I suppose Jane 984 has not been to see you yet. Now you are not to wait ten days before you write to me or I will not believe you love me -- I cannot threaten you that I will not love you for that will not depend on my will. I cannot help loving other people whether they love me or not.
Mary Ann.
Signature
Mary Ann.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Fanny [Mrs. Henry] Houghton, Coventry, [July 1851], 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/93488