GE to Alexander Main, London, 2 January 1875
Title
GE to Alexander Main, London, 2 January 1875
Title
GE to Alexander Main, London, 2 January 1875
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Alexander Main
Date(s)
- 1875-01-02
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Alexander Main, London, 2 January 1875
Text: Main's copy owned by Mr. John R. Sprunt. Extracts published: Cross, New Edition, pp. 534-535.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
January 2. 1875.
My dear Mr. Main
Your New Year's affectionate greeting was very sweet and welcome to me. I missed nothing cordial and cheering in your letter except some assurance that this epoch finds you in outward peace and comfort as well as in inward steadfastness and joy in all goodness. It is your general fault to say nothing about that more solid measurable self which, however inferior and troublesome, is yet an inseparable companion of the more spiritual Alexander Main. I trust that you are free from domestic trouble and that your days are passed in satisfactory work.
On the other hand you usually want to know our bodily condition, and I can tell you now that we are both unusually well, having escaped cold in spite of the severe weather which has made victims of so many delicate and elderly persons.
Mr. Lewes's second volume is very nearly through the press, and he is already mastering with great zest the stores of long-gathered material for the psychological portion of his work.
You have probably heard from M. Ritter lately and have received his brochure of translations from some of the extracts made by you -- translations which seem to me both careful and frequently felicitous. He sent me this little token with a charming letter yesterday, 177 which lay along with yours to gladden me when I went down to lunch. There is a quite peculiar grace in his letter-writing -- do you not think so? This is the fourth year, I think, since your first letter, asking about the pronunciation of Romola, reached me in the country. How the little twig planted then has burgeoned and blossomed! -- the best of blossoming being as you say the spiritual relation of conscious sympathy.
I want very much to be assured of your perpetual striving after excellence in all such ways as your life offers a path for. Because your excellence in anything is likely to bear fruit after our work is finished. You know I care as much for what is called private work as for public, and I believe in its incalculable efficacy.
The minute hand of my clock tells me that I ought to be writing something else. This hasty note is only good for the true sign it gives of my constant regard and gratitude for your affectionate remembrance.
Mr. Lewes is below at his desk, but he has always friendly messages to you in his heart. And I am, as always,
Your sincere and affectionate Friend
M. E. Lewes.
Text: Main's copy owned by Mr. John R. Sprunt. Extracts published: Cross, New Edition, pp. 534-535.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
January 2. 1875.
My dear Mr. Main
Your New Year's affectionate greeting was very sweet and welcome to me. I missed nothing cordial and cheering in your letter except some assurance that this epoch finds you in outward peace and comfort as well as in inward steadfastness and joy in all goodness. It is your general fault to say nothing about that more solid measurable self which, however inferior and troublesome, is yet an inseparable companion of the more spiritual Alexander Main. I trust that you are free from domestic trouble and that your days are passed in satisfactory work.
On the other hand you usually want to know our bodily condition, and I can tell you now that we are both unusually well, having escaped cold in spite of the severe weather which has made victims of so many delicate and elderly persons.
Mr. Lewes's second volume is very nearly through the press, and he is already mastering with great zest the stores of long-gathered material for the psychological portion of his work.
You have probably heard from M. Ritter lately and have received his brochure of translations from some of the extracts made by you -- translations which seem to me both careful and frequently felicitous. He sent me this little token with a charming letter yesterday, 177 which lay along with yours to gladden me when I went down to lunch. There is a quite peculiar grace in his letter-writing -- do you not think so? This is the fourth year, I think, since your first letter, asking about the pronunciation of Romola, reached me in the country. How the little twig planted then has burgeoned and blossomed! -- the best of blossoming being as you say the spiritual relation of conscious sympathy.
I want very much to be assured of your perpetual striving after excellence in all such ways as your life offers a path for. Because your excellence in anything is likely to bear fruit after our work is finished. You know I care as much for what is called private work as for public, and I believe in its incalculable efficacy.
The minute hand of my clock tells me that I ought to be writing something else. This hasty note is only good for the true sign it gives of my constant regard and gratitude for your affectionate remembrance.
Mr. Lewes is below at his desk, but he has always friendly messages to you in his heart. And I am, as always,
Your sincere and affectionate Friend
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Alexander Main, London, 2 January 1875, Complete George Eliot Letters(2026), George Eliot Archive, edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/91990