GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Richmond, 6 November 1858
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Richmond, 6 November 1858
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Richmond, 6 November 1858
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1858-11-06
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Richmond, 6 November 1858
MS: Yale. Address: MIss Hennell | Ivy Cottage | Radford Road | Coventry. Postmarks: LONDON S.W. | 8 | NO 8 | 58; COVENTRY | NO 9 | 58. Hitherto unpublished.
Richmond | November 6th. 58.
Dear Sara
Do not be too much astonished at the sight of these grimy papers. They are autographs -- such as collectors of autographs value. Mr. Lewes has been looking through a large collection of old letters tonight, and it struck me that it was worth while to rescue these from the fire that you might have the chance of seeing whether they will be real additions to your store. One or two of them you are likely enough to throw away -- either having a specimen of the same hand already, or not caring to have a specimen at all. But Thierry, De Tocqueville, Comte, and all "that description" of great personage, I think are likely to be new and desirable to you.
I heard good news of you yesterday from Mr. Spencer, who dined with us after a walk in our glorious Park.
I will say a "God bless you" for a birthday greeting now, lest I should forget to do it at the right moment. This last has been a memorable year to you. I hope it has had much sweetness in it as well as some sorrow.
Ever your loving Friend
Marian.
MS: Yale. Address: MIss Hennell | Ivy Cottage | Radford Road | Coventry. Postmarks: LONDON S.W. | 8 | NO 8 | 58; COVENTRY | NO 9 | 58. Hitherto unpublished.
Richmond | November 6th. 58.
Dear Sara
Do not be too much astonished at the sight of these grimy papers. They are autographs -- such as collectors of autographs value. Mr. Lewes has been looking through a large collection of old letters tonight, and it struck me that it was worth while to rescue these from the fire that you might have the chance of seeing whether they will be real additions to your store. One or two of them you are likely enough to throw away -- either having a specimen of the same hand already, or not caring to have a specimen at all. But Thierry, De Tocqueville, Comte, and all "that description" of great personage, I think are likely to be new and desirable to you.
I heard good news of you yesterday from Mr. Spencer, who dined with us after a walk in our glorious Park.
I will say a "God bless you" for a birthday greeting now, lest I should forget to do it at the right moment. This last has been a memorable year to you. I hope it has had much sweetness in it as well as some sorrow.
Ever your loving Friend
Marian.
Signature
Marian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Richmond, 6 November 1858, 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/94106