GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Bishop's Teignton, 5 August [1851]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Bishop's Teignton, 5 August [1851]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Bishop's Teignton, 5 August [1851]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1851-08-05
Place
BISHOP'S TEIGNTON
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Bishop's Teignton, 5 August [1851]
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1851. Extracts published: Cross, 1, 257.
Bishop Steignton | August 5.
Dear Sara
I am grieved indeed if anything might have been written which has not been written to allay your anxiety about Cara. Her letter yesterday explained what has been the matter. The fact is, I felt in a difficulty. The illness would have been trivial in a strong person, and Dr. Walker 990 thought there was no cause for anxiety. But I know so well Cara's unfitness to endure pain, her sad want of latent strength, that I was alarmed. Still I felt it would be wrong to communicate to you an alarm which a few days might prove to be needless. I thought it a duty just to let you know that she was not well, and I knew her own handwriting would be pleasanter to you than any other. She is, I trust, getting on fast enough to warrant our setting off from here on Monday. I have been talking to her this morning about the going to London or to Rosehill. She seems to prefer London, as the journey she says is less terrific than the idea of getting to Birmingham late in the midst of a hubbub. A glance or two at the Exposition she thinks would do her no harm. I believe this is what she really feels and that she was not governed by thoughts for other people.
Today we are all going to Teignmouth. She is going in a carriage, of course, and seems to like the idea of sitting by the waves. Her poor face is very pale, but I think she is really getting on. Her illness is a pure accident, for which no one is to blame. She has been guilty of no imprudence since she has been here that I am aware of, made no extra exertion nor run any risks. The weather was as miserable as possible for some days and I think this house must be unhealthy in damp weather, but now the sun is shining gloriously and all things are tolerably promising. I am going to walk on before the rest and have a bath.
Ever your affectionate
Pollian.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1851. Extracts published: Cross, 1, 257.
Bishop Steignton | August 5.
Dear Sara
I am grieved indeed if anything might have been written which has not been written to allay your anxiety about Cara. Her letter yesterday explained what has been the matter. The fact is, I felt in a difficulty. The illness would have been trivial in a strong person, and Dr. Walker 990 thought there was no cause for anxiety. But I know so well Cara's unfitness to endure pain, her sad want of latent strength, that I was alarmed. Still I felt it would be wrong to communicate to you an alarm which a few days might prove to be needless. I thought it a duty just to let you know that she was not well, and I knew her own handwriting would be pleasanter to you than any other. She is, I trust, getting on fast enough to warrant our setting off from here on Monday. I have been talking to her this morning about the going to London or to Rosehill. She seems to prefer London, as the journey she says is less terrific than the idea of getting to Birmingham late in the midst of a hubbub. A glance or two at the Exposition she thinks would do her no harm. I believe this is what she really feels and that she was not governed by thoughts for other people.
Today we are all going to Teignmouth. She is going in a carriage, of course, and seems to like the idea of sitting by the waves. Her poor face is very pale, but I think she is really getting on. Her illness is a pure accident, for which no one is to blame. She has been guilty of no imprudence since she has been here that I am aware of, made no extra exertion nor run any risks. The weather was as miserable as possible for some days and I think this house must be unhealthy in damp weather, but now the sun is shining gloriously and all things are tolerably promising. I am going to walk on before the rest and have a bath.
Ever your affectionate
Pollian.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Bishop's Teignton, 5 August [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/93882