GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Richmond, [23 November 1857]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Richmond, [23 November 1857]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Richmond, [23 November 1857]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1857-11-23
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Richmond, [23 November 1857]
MS: Yale. Endorsed: Nov. 24. 1857. Extracts published: Cross, I, 474.
Richmond | Monday.
Dear Sara
The chinks of my time yesterday 1015 were so filled up with things I was obliged to attend to -- proof-readings etc. that I couldn't write to you. But I didn't forget to think of you gratefully, as we walked in the mild sunshine and looked at the purple and gold along the river.
Sometime, I do mean, if I can, to send you an ugly photograph, since-you desire it, having perhaps a savage pleasure in perceiving how "the individual withers." 1016 I didn't give your letter to Mr. Lewes or tell him it was my birthday, for except you, I don't like anybody to say anything about it or make a fuss and congratulate me. Anniversaries are sad things -- to one who has lived long and done little.
Herbert Spencer dined with us the other day -- looks well, and is brimful of clever talk, as usual. His volume of [Essays] 1017 is to come out soon. He is just now on a crusade against the notion of [species.] Next to that his indignation with government interference about Jointstock Banks seems to be the dominant interest. 1018
We are reading Harriet Martineau's history 1019 with edification, and otherwise feeding our souls, which flourish very well notwithstanding November weather. What of your Antichrist? 1020
Ever thine
Marian.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: Nov. 24. 1857. Extracts published: Cross, I, 474.
Richmond | Monday.
Dear Sara
The chinks of my time yesterday 1015 were so filled up with things I was obliged to attend to -- proof-readings etc. that I couldn't write to you. But I didn't forget to think of you gratefully, as we walked in the mild sunshine and looked at the purple and gold along the river.
Sometime, I do mean, if I can, to send you an ugly photograph, since-you desire it, having perhaps a savage pleasure in perceiving how "the individual withers." 1016 I didn't give your letter to Mr. Lewes or tell him it was my birthday, for except you, I don't like anybody to say anything about it or make a fuss and congratulate me. Anniversaries are sad things -- to one who has lived long and done little.
Herbert Spencer dined with us the other day -- looks well, and is brimful of clever talk, as usual. His volume of [Essays] 1017 is to come out soon. He is just now on a crusade against the notion of [species.] Next to that his indignation with government interference about Jointstock Banks seems to be the dominant interest. 1018
We are reading Harriet Martineau's history 1019 with edification, and otherwise feeding our souls, which flourish very well notwithstanding November weather. What of your Antichrist? 1020
Ever thine
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Richmond, [23 November 1857], 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/94077