GE to Edith Harriet Kittermaster, Griff, [10 April 1840]
Title
GE to Edith Harriet Kittermaster, Griff, [10 April 1840]
Title
GE to Edith Harriet Kittermaster, Griff, [10 April 1840]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Edith Harriet Kittermaster
Date(s)
- 1840-04-10
Place
GRIFF
Letter Content
GE to Edith Harriet Kittermaster, Griff, [10 April 1840]
MS: British Museum. Published: Minoru Toyoda, Studies in the Mental Development of George Eliot in Relation to the Science, Philosophy, and Theology of Her Day, Tokyo, 1931, pp. 265-266.
May I, my dear Miss Kittermaster, as one possessing some knowledge of her from whom you have been so lately separated, 199 and consequently partaking, in however slight a proportion, of your feelings under her loss, express that sympathy, without offending against the delicacy with which so sacred a thing as sorrow ought to be approached?
There is a stage of grief when the really smitten heart shrinks from the tenderest mortal touch, necessarily ceases from man, 200 whose image only reminds it of the possibility of multiplying its present pangs, and feels that the balm it needs must have no material conveyance but come directly from Him who has seen it requisite unwillingly to wound. And this is the season when trial if not futile, operates according to God's gracious design on the soul; the curtain is drawn before the glare that in worldly peace deceives the mental eye, and we see things in their true colour and relations, we no longer "walk in a vain show," we are awakened as by a minute bell at night to a consciousness of our real position, that of beings whose eternal weal or woe is pending, and may be decided in a moment. There is a degree of satisfaction even amidst this grief and anxiety, to which thoughtless freedom from pain can offer nothing equal; it is the satisfaction of having partially set our feet on the firm foundation of truth, and it is a law of our nature that peace should be experienced in proportion as we steadily grasp eternal truth and walk by its guidance.
How blessed that we are not left like the heathen to grope our way to a twilight of knowledge, but may be at once introduced to the clear sunshine of the full assurance of understanding of the study of Divine revelation. Here is the inexhaustible fountain of comfort under every class of sufferings, infinitely varied as they are, the armoury whence we may draw weapons against every enemy, not excepting the worst, our own corruptions. I would that I could more experimentally speak of its blessed influences, more earnestly desire that every fresh admonition of the vanity of all attainments brilliant and attractive though they be, but such as are subsidiary to saving wisdom, to quicken my own diligence and that of all in whom I am interested in the pursuit of durable riches and righteousness. That this may be the effect of your present bereavement on yourself and your whole family, I have attempted to pray.
I beg you to present my kindest regards to Dr. and Mrs. Kittermaster, to forgive me if I have unduly trespassed on your feelings, and to believe, my dear Miss Kittermaster, that I am
Your sincere Friend,
Mary Ann Evans.
Griff Friday.
MS: British Museum. Published: Minoru Toyoda, Studies in the Mental Development of George Eliot in Relation to the Science, Philosophy, and Theology of Her Day, Tokyo, 1931, pp. 265-266.
May I, my dear Miss Kittermaster, as one possessing some knowledge of her from whom you have been so lately separated, 199 and consequently partaking, in however slight a proportion, of your feelings under her loss, express that sympathy, without offending against the delicacy with which so sacred a thing as sorrow ought to be approached?
There is a stage of grief when the really smitten heart shrinks from the tenderest mortal touch, necessarily ceases from man, 200 whose image only reminds it of the possibility of multiplying its present pangs, and feels that the balm it needs must have no material conveyance but come directly from Him who has seen it requisite unwillingly to wound. And this is the season when trial if not futile, operates according to God's gracious design on the soul; the curtain is drawn before the glare that in worldly peace deceives the mental eye, and we see things in their true colour and relations, we no longer "walk in a vain show," we are awakened as by a minute bell at night to a consciousness of our real position, that of beings whose eternal weal or woe is pending, and may be decided in a moment. There is a degree of satisfaction even amidst this grief and anxiety, to which thoughtless freedom from pain can offer nothing equal; it is the satisfaction of having partially set our feet on the firm foundation of truth, and it is a law of our nature that peace should be experienced in proportion as we steadily grasp eternal truth and walk by its guidance.
How blessed that we are not left like the heathen to grope our way to a twilight of knowledge, but may be at once introduced to the clear sunshine of the full assurance of understanding of the study of Divine revelation. Here is the inexhaustible fountain of comfort under every class of sufferings, infinitely varied as they are, the armoury whence we may draw weapons against every enemy, not excepting the worst, our own corruptions. I would that I could more experimentally speak of its blessed influences, more earnestly desire that every fresh admonition of the vanity of all attainments brilliant and attractive though they be, but such as are subsidiary to saving wisdom, to quicken my own diligence and that of all in whom I am interested in the pursuit of durable riches and righteousness. That this may be the effect of your present bereavement on yourself and your whole family, I have attempted to pray.
I beg you to present my kindest regards to Dr. and Mrs. Kittermaster, to forgive me if I have unduly trespassed on your feelings, and to believe, my dear Miss Kittermaster, that I am
Your sincere Friend,
Mary Ann Evans.
Griff Friday.
Signature
Mary Ann Evans.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Edith Harriet Kittermaster, Griff, [10 April 1840], 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/92273