GE to Mrs. Nassau John Senior, London, 9 September 1869
Title
GE to Mrs. Nassau John Senior, London, 9 September 1869
Title
GE to Mrs. Nassau John Senior, London, 9 September 1869
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Nassau John Senior
Date(s)
- 1869-09-09
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Nassau John Senior, London, 9 September 1869
MS: Mr. O. K. Schram. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
September 9. 69.
Dear Friend
Your brother, Mr. H. Hughes, 103 has kindly written to me to say that you would like to hear how our invalid is. It is very sweet to know that you care about us and ours, and as I have only good news to tell, it is altogether pleasant to write to you.
We think that Thornie is making steady though slow progress. He can set both his feet firmly to the ground, though he cannot yet stand without help; his digestion is good, and his looks improve. He sleeps a great deal, by day as well as by night. This must have a restorative effect, and it is not reasonable in us to think with regret, as we sometimes do, of the mental inertness which has now taken the place of his former vivacity and ready interest. 104
The grapes which a certain person's tender thoughtfulness caused to be brought to us, were eaten, however, with as much vivacity of enjoyment as you can imagine in the hottest mornings you have at Worthing. Thornie associates you with grapes, and in the present state of things I doubt whether any sort of sublime virtue would make the thought of you more attractive to him.
I hope that you and your charges, young and elderly, are prospering at the coast, enjoying sands and breezes, and fruit too, which I remember Worthing is famous for.
I am writing hygienically in an unusual attitude, to which I have not yet learned to adapt myself well, so that my handwriting is strangely disguised. You see, my vanity urges me to pretend that I can write better.
Always yours gratefully and affectionately
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Mr. O. K. Schram. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
September 9. 69.
Dear Friend
Your brother, Mr. H. Hughes, 103 has kindly written to me to say that you would like to hear how our invalid is. It is very sweet to know that you care about us and ours, and as I have only good news to tell, it is altogether pleasant to write to you.
We think that Thornie is making steady though slow progress. He can set both his feet firmly to the ground, though he cannot yet stand without help; his digestion is good, and his looks improve. He sleeps a great deal, by day as well as by night. This must have a restorative effect, and it is not reasonable in us to think with regret, as we sometimes do, of the mental inertness which has now taken the place of his former vivacity and ready interest. 104
The grapes which a certain person's tender thoughtfulness caused to be brought to us, were eaten, however, with as much vivacity of enjoyment as you can imagine in the hottest mornings you have at Worthing. Thornie associates you with grapes, and in the present state of things I doubt whether any sort of sublime virtue would make the thought of you more attractive to him.
I hope that you and your charges, young and elderly, are prospering at the coast, enjoying sands and breezes, and fruit too, which I remember Worthing is famous for.
I am writing hygienically in an unusual attitude, to which I have not yet learned to adapt myself well, so that my handwriting is strangely disguised. You see, my vanity urges me to pretend that I can write better.
Always yours gratefully and affectionately
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Nassau John Senior, London, 9 September 1869, 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/93565