GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Richmond, 5 September 1856]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Richmond, 5 September 1856]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Richmond, 5 September 1856]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1856-09-05
Place
[Richmond]
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Richmond, 5 September 1856]
MS: Yale. Endorsed: Sep. or Oc. 1856. Hitherto unpublished.
Dear Sara
You don't know how much I think and feel about your cough, and all the weary weakness and discomfort you have been feeling through the Spring and Summer. Those are just the troubles that people pass by so carelessly -- "she is not very well," "not strong," which means generally that life is very hard work.
We have had a letter from Herbert Spencer in which he says that he very much enjoyed his visit to you and that "the people at Rosehill know thoroughly how to treat their visitors."
In default of a clergyman, can't you get some pious, sensible woman to listen to your Christianity? 744 But I should think you are hardly in any danger of misrepresentation after all your reading of orthodox writers. I shall expect your Essay with a great deal of interest, for contrary to the general, I like reading what my friends write and finding out a great deal more about them than one can ever know in any other way. We mortals have such a knack of shutting up our best selves quite away from each other, as well as our worst. Don't say you don't expect me to answer your letters. I know I often answer very stupidly and briefly, but I do not shew myself altogether ungrateful. I am just now at the end of my paper and time. By and bye I shall be able to write more.
Ever yours affectionately
Marian.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: Sep. or Oc. 1856. Hitherto unpublished.
Dear Sara
You don't know how much I think and feel about your cough, and all the weary weakness and discomfort you have been feeling through the Spring and Summer. Those are just the troubles that people pass by so carelessly -- "she is not very well," "not strong," which means generally that life is very hard work.
We have had a letter from Herbert Spencer in which he says that he very much enjoyed his visit to you and that "the people at Rosehill know thoroughly how to treat their visitors."
In default of a clergyman, can't you get some pious, sensible woman to listen to your Christianity? 744 But I should think you are hardly in any danger of misrepresentation after all your reading of orthodox writers. I shall expect your Essay with a great deal of interest, for contrary to the general, I like reading what my friends write and finding out a great deal more about them than one can ever know in any other way. We mortals have such a knack of shutting up our best selves quite away from each other, as well as our worst. Don't say you don't expect me to answer your letters. I know I often answer very stupidly and briefly, but I do not shew myself altogether ungrateful. I am just now at the end of my paper and time. By and bye I shall be able to write more.
Ever yours affectionately
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, [Richmond, 5 September 1856], 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/93869