GE to Charles Ritter, Witley, 11 August 1878
Title
GE to Charles Ritter, Witley, 11 August 1878
Title
GE to Charles Ritter, Witley, 11 August 1878
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Charles Ritter
Date(s)
- 1878-08-11
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GE to Charles Ritter, Witley, 11 August 1878
MS: Biblioth'e8que Publique et Universitaire, Geneva. Mostly published: Cross, New Edition, p. 575.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
August 11. 78.
Dear M. Ritter
Your translation 118 seems generally closer than it is easy to make the rendering of poetic expression from one language into another differing so much in genius as French and English.
"To make undying music in the world, Breathing as beauteous order" etc.
The [music] here of course is analogical. Music is order in tones. The presence of the spirit is felt in by the beauteous order which it helps to create.
"With widening retrospect that bred despair."
Life is necessarily a widening retrospect as we look back upon it -- a journey which we [lay behind] us as we advance. To many of us -- I hope not to you -- it is a retrospect of broken resolutions which make each succeeding resolution less hopeful, and in this way breed [despair.] The words are precise, to one who has had the experience.
The word [dissolved] has no such fixed, narrowed associations in English as in French. Hamlet uses even the word [melt] without exciting ridicule or offence in this connection.
The [must be] you have rightly translated by [ce qui est immuable.] The great division of our lot is that between what is immodifiable and is the object of resignation and that which is modifiable by hopeful activity -- by new conceptions and new deeds.
"A worthier image for the sanctuary" you have rightly understood. But to our English feeling "respect" is a poor word for reverence. Perhaps it is otherwise to one who thinks in French.
Excuse my writing in some haste and believe me, dear M. Ritter
Yours most truly
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Biblioth'e8que Publique et Universitaire, Geneva. Mostly published: Cross, New Edition, p. 575.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
August 11. 78.
Dear M. Ritter
Your translation 118 seems generally closer than it is easy to make the rendering of poetic expression from one language into another differing so much in genius as French and English.
"To make undying music in the world, Breathing as beauteous order" etc.
The [music] here of course is analogical. Music is order in tones. The presence of the spirit is felt in by the beauteous order which it helps to create.
"With widening retrospect that bred despair."
Life is necessarily a widening retrospect as we look back upon it -- a journey which we [lay behind] us as we advance. To many of us -- I hope not to you -- it is a retrospect of broken resolutions which make each succeeding resolution less hopeful, and in this way breed [despair.] The words are precise, to one who has had the experience.
The word [dissolved] has no such fixed, narrowed associations in English as in French. Hamlet uses even the word [melt] without exciting ridicule or offence in this connection.
The [must be] you have rightly translated by [ce qui est immuable.] The great division of our lot is that between what is immodifiable and is the object of resignation and that which is modifiable by hopeful activity -- by new conceptions and new deeds.
"A worthier image for the sanctuary" you have rightly understood. But to our English feeling "respect" is a poor word for reverence. Perhaps it is otherwise to one who thinks in French.
Excuse my writing in some haste and believe me, dear M. Ritter
Yours most truly
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Charles Ritter, Witley, 11 August 1878, 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/92256