GE to Charles Bray, Wandsworth, 23 July 1859
Title
GE to Charles Bray, Wandsworth, 23 July 1859
Title
GE to Charles Bray, Wandsworth, 23 July 1859
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Charles Bray
Date(s)
- 1859-07-23
Place
Wandsworth
Letter Content
GE to Charles Bray, Wandsworth, 23 July 1859
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, II, 120.
Holly Lodge | July 23. 59.
Dear Friend
I have asked Mr. Lewes to let me answer your letter, for which we both thank you, though we are unable to use the opportunity it offers us. 223
We reached home last evening, and though I was [a] good deal overdone in getting to Lucerne, I have borne the equally rapid journey back without headache -- a proof that I am strengthened. The benefit to Mr. Lewes is not quite so clear, but I hope it will be, after a day's rest. It is always a comfort to him to have seen the boys. By the way, he discussed over again with Dr. M'fcller the question of religious instruction, and is at a loss to conceive what can have been the basis for Mr. Call's impression. English boys are never "prepared for the sacrament," it being understood that they will be confirmed at home. I mention this because I think it would not be fair to propagate what was evidently an erroneous impression. 224
I had three quiet days of talk with the Congreves at Lucerne, while Mr. Lewes went to Hofwyl. Mrs. Congreve is one of those women of whom there are few -- rich in intelligence without pretension, and quivering with sensibility, yet calm and quiet in her manners.
I fear my last note to you showed you that I was worried and wearied. That condition of mine was not entirely without external cause, but before we left we had news that counterbalanced annoyances. The fourth edition of Adam Bede (5000) was sold in a fortnight, and the publishers were scouring London for spare copies to meet pressing orders while the 5th edition was being prepared.
When the "Scenes of Clerical Life" come out, I will send you the two works in their 12s. dress. 225
I did not doubt that you would be thoughtful for me about my name, but hitherto, in writing to my lawyer and others, I had signed only "Marian Lewes," and it seems desirable to keep the intermediate name for the sake of preventing mistakes. 226 I had not thought of the matter before. That was the reason of my postscript, and no distrust of your care on my behalf.
Mr. Lewes sends his kindest regards to all, to keep company with my love. I am always, under all changes, with vivid memory,
Your sincere and affectionate friend
Marian Evans Lewes.
MS: Yale. Extracts published: Cross, II, 120.
Holly Lodge | July 23. 59.
Dear Friend
I have asked Mr. Lewes to let me answer your letter, for which we both thank you, though we are unable to use the opportunity it offers us. 223
We reached home last evening, and though I was [a] good deal overdone in getting to Lucerne, I have borne the equally rapid journey back without headache -- a proof that I am strengthened. The benefit to Mr. Lewes is not quite so clear, but I hope it will be, after a day's rest. It is always a comfort to him to have seen the boys. By the way, he discussed over again with Dr. M'fcller the question of religious instruction, and is at a loss to conceive what can have been the basis for Mr. Call's impression. English boys are never "prepared for the sacrament," it being understood that they will be confirmed at home. I mention this because I think it would not be fair to propagate what was evidently an erroneous impression. 224
I had three quiet days of talk with the Congreves at Lucerne, while Mr. Lewes went to Hofwyl. Mrs. Congreve is one of those women of whom there are few -- rich in intelligence without pretension, and quivering with sensibility, yet calm and quiet in her manners.
I fear my last note to you showed you that I was worried and wearied. That condition of mine was not entirely without external cause, but before we left we had news that counterbalanced annoyances. The fourth edition of Adam Bede (5000) was sold in a fortnight, and the publishers were scouring London for spare copies to meet pressing orders while the 5th edition was being prepared.
When the "Scenes of Clerical Life" come out, I will send you the two works in their 12s. dress. 225
I did not doubt that you would be thoughtful for me about my name, but hitherto, in writing to my lawyer and others, I had signed only "Marian Lewes," and it seems desirable to keep the intermediate name for the sake of preventing mistakes. 226 I had not thought of the matter before. That was the reason of my postscript, and no distrust of your care on my behalf.
Mr. Lewes sends his kindest regards to all, to keep company with my love. I am always, under all changes, with vivid memory,
Your sincere and affectionate friend
Marian Evans Lewes.
Signature
Marian Evans Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Charles Bray, Wandsworth, 23 July 1859, 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/92187