GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 22 January 1864
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 22 January 1864
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 22 January 1864
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1864-01-22
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 22 January 1864
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, II, 376-377.
The Priory, | North Bank, | Regents Park.
January 22. 64.
Dear Sara
How are you through all these transitions of weather? I often imagine you, not without a little longing, turning out into the fields whenever you list, as we used to do in the old days at Rosehill. That power of turning out into the fields is a great possession in life -- worth many luxuries.
Here is a bit of news not I think too insignificant for you to tell Cara. The other Sunday Mr. Spencer senior 222 -- Herbert's father -- called on us, and knowing that he has been engaged in education all his life, that he is a man of extensive and accurate knowledge, and that on his son's showing (the most uncomplimentary of sons) he is a very able teacher, I showed him Cara's "British Empire." He took it home with him, saying that he would examine it, and observing that he had been much shocked by the incorrectnesses of an educational work on astronomy pub[lishe]d by Longman's. Yesterday Herbert Spencer came and on my enquiring, told me that his father was pleased with Cara's book and thought highly of it. Such testimonies as this, given apart from personal influence and by a practised judge, are, I should think, more gratifying than any other sort of praise, to all faithful writers.
We have been interested lately in a young poet, Robert Buchanan, a Scotchman who came up to London 4 years ago in the faith that he should find the greatest and most generous minds there, and who has gone through the usual trials of disappointment in that faith. He seems to have kept a beautiful seriousness and simplicity of nature, and to add to one's grounds of sympathy for him, he has just married 223 as a refuge from the loneliness of London life. He is a delicate looking creature, not more than four and twenty. I was especially pleased with the venerating affection he expressed for Miss Mulock 224 -- for her earnest religious feeling, and her strength of character. "She has taught me," he said, "to see good in other women -- good that I never saw before." Wasn't that pretty? -- I mention him to you that, if you happen to see in the Cornhill an account of a young Scotch poet who died of consumption, 225 you may know that it was written by Mr. Buchanan, and that he is the Robert Blank who figures (very modestly) as the friend of the dead. Tell me any news of yourself or others, when the spirit moves you, and believe me
Always yours lovingly
Pollian.
Miss Remond has talked to Mrs. Taylor of her pleasure in making your acquaintance.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, II, 376-377.
The Priory, | North Bank, | Regents Park.
January 22. 64.
Dear Sara
How are you through all these transitions of weather? I often imagine you, not without a little longing, turning out into the fields whenever you list, as we used to do in the old days at Rosehill. That power of turning out into the fields is a great possession in life -- worth many luxuries.
Here is a bit of news not I think too insignificant for you to tell Cara. The other Sunday Mr. Spencer senior 222 -- Herbert's father -- called on us, and knowing that he has been engaged in education all his life, that he is a man of extensive and accurate knowledge, and that on his son's showing (the most uncomplimentary of sons) he is a very able teacher, I showed him Cara's "British Empire." He took it home with him, saying that he would examine it, and observing that he had been much shocked by the incorrectnesses of an educational work on astronomy pub[lishe]d by Longman's. Yesterday Herbert Spencer came and on my enquiring, told me that his father was pleased with Cara's book and thought highly of it. Such testimonies as this, given apart from personal influence and by a practised judge, are, I should think, more gratifying than any other sort of praise, to all faithful writers.
We have been interested lately in a young poet, Robert Buchanan, a Scotchman who came up to London 4 years ago in the faith that he should find the greatest and most generous minds there, and who has gone through the usual trials of disappointment in that faith. He seems to have kept a beautiful seriousness and simplicity of nature, and to add to one's grounds of sympathy for him, he has just married 223 as a refuge from the loneliness of London life. He is a delicate looking creature, not more than four and twenty. I was especially pleased with the venerating affection he expressed for Miss Mulock 224 -- for her earnest religious feeling, and her strength of character. "She has taught me," he said, "to see good in other women -- good that I never saw before." Wasn't that pretty? -- I mention him to you that, if you happen to see in the Cornhill an account of a young Scotch poet who died of consumption, 225 you may know that it was written by Mr. Buchanan, and that he is the Robert Blank who figures (very modestly) as the friend of the dead. Tell me any news of yourself or others, when the spirit moves you, and believe me
Always yours lovingly
Pollian.
Miss Remond has talked to Mrs. Taylor of her pleasure in making your acquaintance.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, London, 22 January 1864, 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/94022