GE to Charles Bray, Richmond, 30 October 1857
Title
GE to Charles Bray, Richmond, 30 October 1857
Title
GE to Charles Bray, Richmond, 30 October 1857
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Charles Bray
Date(s)
- 1857-10-30
Place
Richmond
Letter Content
GE to Charles Bray, Richmond, 30 October 1857
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, I, 467-468.
Richmond | October 30. 57.
Dear Friend
Thank you for sending me your pamphlet, 998 which I have read with much interest. It brings forward some important points for the consideration of our reformers. The picture you give of the results of female labour in factories is sad enough. How is it that the results have been so different at Lowell?
That passage you quote from Mrs. Bodichon's book about "doing small things badly" is mine. 999 She did me the honor to copy it from a letter I wrote to her, and that word -- "Conscience goes to the hammering in of nails" is my Gospel. There can be no harm in preaching that to women, at any rate. But I should be sorry to undertake any more specific enunciation of doctrine on a question so entangled as the "Woman Question." The part of the Epicurean gods is always an easy one; but because I prefer it so strongly myself, I the more highly venerate those who are struggling in the thick of the contest.
"La carri'e8re ouverte aux talen[t]s," 1000 whether the talents be feminine or masculine, I am quite confident is a right maxim. Whether "La carri'e8re ouverte 'e0 la sottise," be equally just, when made equally universal, it would be too much like [taking sides] for me to say.
Ever your affectionate Friend
Marian Lewes.
Charles Bray Esq.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, I, 467-468.
Richmond | October 30. 57.
Dear Friend
Thank you for sending me your pamphlet, 998 which I have read with much interest. It brings forward some important points for the consideration of our reformers. The picture you give of the results of female labour in factories is sad enough. How is it that the results have been so different at Lowell?
That passage you quote from Mrs. Bodichon's book about "doing small things badly" is mine. 999 She did me the honor to copy it from a letter I wrote to her, and that word -- "Conscience goes to the hammering in of nails" is my Gospel. There can be no harm in preaching that to women, at any rate. But I should be sorry to undertake any more specific enunciation of doctrine on a question so entangled as the "Woman Question." The part of the Epicurean gods is always an easy one; but because I prefer it so strongly myself, I the more highly venerate those who are struggling in the thick of the contest.
"La carri'e8re ouverte aux talen[t]s," 1000 whether the talents be feminine or masculine, I am quite confident is a right maxim. Whether "La carri'e8re ouverte 'e0 la sottise," be equally just, when made equally universal, it would be too much like [taking sides] for me to say.
Ever your affectionate Friend
Marian Lewes.
Charles Bray Esq.
Signature
Marian Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Charles Bray, Richmond, 30 October 1857, 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/92167