GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, 26 February [1859]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, 26 February [1859]
Title
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, 26 February [1859]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Sara Sophia Hennell
Date(s)
- 1859-02-26
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, 26 February [1859]
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1859. Mostly published: Cross, II, 91-92.
Holly Lodge | February 26.
I think not, dear Sara, thank you. I have written to Chrissey and shall hear from her again. She has the materials for knowing and inferring all that is necessary.
I think her writing was the result of long quiet thought -- the slow return of a naturally just and affectionate mind to the position from which it had been thrust by external influence. 54 She says, "My object in writing to you . . . was to tell you how very sorry I have been that I ceased to write and neglected one who under all circumstances was kind to me and mine. Pray believe me when I say it will be the greatest comfort I can possibly receive to know you are well and happy. Will you write once more etc. etc." I wrote immediately, and I desire to avoid any word of reference to anything with which she associates the idea of alienation. The past is abolished from my mind -- I only want her to feel that I love her and care for her.
Tell Cara the servant-trouble seems less mountainous to me than it did the other day. I was suffering physically from unusual worret and muscular exertion in arranging the house, and so was in a ridiculously desponding state. I have written no end of letters in answer to servants' advertisements, and we have put our own advt. in the Times -- all which amount of force, if we were not philosophers and therefore believers in the conservation of force, we should declare to be lost. It is so pleasant to know these high doctrines -- they help one so much.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Congreve have called on us. We shall return the call as soon as we can.
Ever your loving
Pollian.
MS: Yale. Endorsed: 1859. Mostly published: Cross, II, 91-92.
Holly Lodge | February 26.
I think not, dear Sara, thank you. I have written to Chrissey and shall hear from her again. She has the materials for knowing and inferring all that is necessary.
I think her writing was the result of long quiet thought -- the slow return of a naturally just and affectionate mind to the position from which it had been thrust by external influence. 54 She says, "My object in writing to you . . . was to tell you how very sorry I have been that I ceased to write and neglected one who under all circumstances was kind to me and mine. Pray believe me when I say it will be the greatest comfort I can possibly receive to know you are well and happy. Will you write once more etc. etc." I wrote immediately, and I desire to avoid any word of reference to anything with which she associates the idea of alienation. The past is abolished from my mind -- I only want her to feel that I love her and care for her.
Tell Cara the servant-trouble seems less mountainous to me than it did the other day. I was suffering physically from unusual worret and muscular exertion in arranging the house, and so was in a ridiculously desponding state. I have written no end of letters in answer to servants' advertisements, and we have put our own advt. in the Times -- all which amount of force, if we were not philosophers and therefore believers in the conservation of force, we should declare to be lost. It is so pleasant to know these high doctrines -- they help one so much.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Congreve have called on us. We shall return the call as soon as we can.
Ever your loving
Pollian.
Signature
Pollian.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Sara Sophia Hennell, Wandsworth, 26 February [1859], 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/94134