GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 14 January 1862
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 14 January 1862
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 14 January 1862
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1862-01-14
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 14 January 1862
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, II, 331.
Blandford Sq. | January 14. 62.
Dear Sara
I am grieved to think of the sprain. Pray let me know, when you can, that it is better, for I have a dread of the possible persistence attributed to sprains.
I hope you are able to enjoy Max M'fcller's 12 great and delightful book during your imprisonment. It tempts me away from other things. I have read most of the numbers of Orley Farm, and admire it very much, with the exception of such parts as I have read about Moulder and Co., which by the way, I saw in glancing at a late Spectator, the sapient critic there selects for peculiar commendation. 13 There is no mistake an author can make but there will be some newspaper critic to pronounce it his finest effort. Anthony Trollope is admirable in the presentation of even, average life and character, and he is so thoroughly wholesome-minded that one delights in seeing his books lie about to be read. Have you read "Beata" yet -- the first novel written by his brother at Florence who is our especial favourite? Do read it when you can, if the opportunity has not already come.
It is very good of you to remember poor Charlie's missing trunk or trunk "gone-a-missing." Alas, we are still wishing -- hardly hoping -- that it may not be utterly lost. Our last effort has been to inquire through a Railway authority here who has an agent in Paris, and we should have done more wisely if we had had recourse to him first instead of writing to foreign friends and foreign officials.
You have never told me what impression Mr. Spencer's book 14 makes on you as it proceeds. I am anxious to know whether the elaborate proof of generalities which are accepted as soon as stated will not cause some of the later numbers to be wearisome for the majority of readers. I hope not, for it is touching to see how his whole life and soul are being poured into this book and into keeping himself well that he may write it. The very watching against disease is becoming a disease in itself. He has had his father in London lately, and the old gentleman, seated upright on a small chair, looks almost the younger of the two. 15
I am going to be taken to a pantomime in the day-time, like a good child, for a Christmas treat, not having had my fair share of pantomime in the world. Farewell -- let me know about the sprain, and think of me always as
Your loving
Pollian.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, II, 331.
Blandford Sq. | January 14. 62.
Dear Sara
I am grieved to think of the sprain. Pray let me know, when you can, that it is better, for I have a dread of the possible persistence attributed to sprains.
I hope you are able to enjoy Max M'fcller's 12 great and delightful book during your imprisonment. It tempts me away from other things. I have read most of the numbers of Orley Farm, and admire it very much, with the exception of such parts as I have read about Moulder and Co., which by the way, I saw in glancing at a late Spectator, the sapient critic there selects for peculiar commendation. 13 There is no mistake an author can make but there will be some newspaper critic to pronounce it his finest effort. Anthony Trollope is admirable in the presentation of even, average life and character, and he is so thoroughly wholesome-minded that one delights in seeing his books lie about to be read. Have you read "Beata" yet -- the first novel written by his brother at Florence who is our especial favourite? Do read it when you can, if the opportunity has not already come.
It is very good of you to remember poor Charlie's missing trunk or trunk "gone-a-missing." Alas, we are still wishing -- hardly hoping -- that it may not be utterly lost. Our last effort has been to inquire through a Railway authority here who has an agent in Paris, and we should have done more wisely if we had had recourse to him first instead of writing to foreign friends and foreign officials.
You have never told me what impression Mr. Spencer's book 14 makes on you as it proceeds. I am anxious to know whether the elaborate proof of generalities which are accepted as soon as stated will not cause some of the later numbers to be wearisome for the majority of readers. I hope not, for it is touching to see how his whole life and soul are being poured into this book and into keeping himself well that he may write it. The very watching against disease is becoming a disease in itself. He has had his father in London lately, and the old gentleman, seated upright on a small chair, looks almost the younger of the two. 15
I am going to be taken to a pantomime in the day-time, like a good child, for a Christmas treat, not having had my fair share of pantomime in the world. Farewell -- let me know about the sprain, and think of me always as
Your loving
Pollian.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 14 January 1862, 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/93993