GE to Sara Sophia Hennell and Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 6 October 1861
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell and Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 6 October 1861
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell and Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 6 October 1861
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell and Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray
Date(s)
- 1861-10-06
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell and Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 6 October 1861
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1861. Extract published: Cross, II, 317.
Blandford Square, | N.W.
October 6. 1861.
Dear Sara and Cara
It is at least half as good as the sea-breezes, to know that you are both enjoying them. And we must be content with that good, for the journey to Penmaemawr is too formidable to be undertaken at the end of all the other journies we have made this year. Else, I should have liked it very much -- mountains, methodists and all -- but chiefly the opportunity of being with you both in a freedom for quiet intercourse which cannot often recur. I am glad to have the vision of Penmaemawr as it is, so that I can imagine a very probable picture, with your two dear little figures, each with a well-known walk, making brief foot marks on the fine stretch of sand.
'abThat is very good news about Mr. and Mrs. Call. It seems very sad to me that a love like that between [Rufa] 850 and you should be nearly severed, and I should like to know whether you and she are knit together again.'bb There is a point of disgust or discovery of discordant principle which one feels must make a full stop, and call for a Finis in friendship or acquaintanceship -- and yet I have often felt the superiority of a large tolerance which will hardly allow any ground for complete alienation from the once known and once loved, and am a little uneasy at any breach which is voluntary on my own part.
We are enjoying a great, great pleasure -- a new grand piano; 851 and last evening we had a Beethoven night. 852 We are looking out for a violinist: we have our violoncello, 853 who is full of sensibility, but with no negative in him -- i.e. no obstinate sense of time: a man who is all assent and perpetual rallentando. -- We can enjoy the pleasure the more, because Mr. Lewes's health is promising. He has a pull with the oars for an hour every day now, and finds that variety of muscular exertion rapidly invigorating.
Send me word when you get home, and tell how you feel braced and cheered for the coming winter. Always
Your affectionate
Marian.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1861. Extract published: Cross, II, 317.
Blandford Square, | N.W.
October 6. 1861.
Dear Sara and Cara
It is at least half as good as the sea-breezes, to know that you are both enjoying them. And we must be content with that good, for the journey to Penmaemawr is too formidable to be undertaken at the end of all the other journies we have made this year. Else, I should have liked it very much -- mountains, methodists and all -- but chiefly the opportunity of being with you both in a freedom for quiet intercourse which cannot often recur. I am glad to have the vision of Penmaemawr as it is, so that I can imagine a very probable picture, with your two dear little figures, each with a well-known walk, making brief foot marks on the fine stretch of sand.
'abThat is very good news about Mr. and Mrs. Call. It seems very sad to me that a love like that between [Rufa] 850 and you should be nearly severed, and I should like to know whether you and she are knit together again.'bb There is a point of disgust or discovery of discordant principle which one feels must make a full stop, and call for a Finis in friendship or acquaintanceship -- and yet I have often felt the superiority of a large tolerance which will hardly allow any ground for complete alienation from the once known and once loved, and am a little uneasy at any breach which is voluntary on my own part.
We are enjoying a great, great pleasure -- a new grand piano; 851 and last evening we had a Beethoven night. 852 We are looking out for a violinist: we have our violoncello, 853 who is full of sensibility, but with no negative in him -- i.e. no obstinate sense of time: a man who is all assent and perpetual rallentando. -- We can enjoy the pleasure the more, because Mr. Lewes's health is promising. He has a pull with the oars for an hour every day now, and finds that variety of muscular exertion rapidly invigorating.
Send me word when you get home, and tell how you feel braced and cheered for the coming winter. Always
Your affectionate
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell and Caroline [Mrs. Charles] Bray, London, 6 October 1861, 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/93793