GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, [July 1868]
Title
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, [July 1868]
Title
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, [July 1868]
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Francois D'Albert-Durade
Date(s)
- 1868-07
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, [July 1868]
MS: Harvard. Mostly published: Cross, New Edition, pp. 430-431.
The Priory | 21 North Bank | London.
My dear Friend
Your welcome letter was forwarded to me in Germany whither we had set out at the beginning of June. When we found ourselves as far south as Basle, we indulged ourselves with the project of returning home by Geneva, but we finally gave up that pleasure for this year, because we feared that the long railway journeying it involved would not be good for us at the end of our sanitary excursions among the pinewoods and mountains of the Black Forest. But we look forward with hope to some other continental journey which will give us a route through Geneva. I long to see you and always-loved "Maman" again, and Mr. Lewes, besides the delight he takes in seeing those who have shewn me so much sympathy and kindness, wishes to make the acquaintance of some men of science who are your fellow-citizens.
It is always charming to me to read your letters. You have the happy talent of remembering all the little details which have associations in my memory, and so making a little picture of the life around you. For example, that son of M. Heyer 800 whom you mention as an "'c9tudiant en th'e9ologie," I remember to have seen standing on the table in my room as a tiny, pretty boy! If the excellent parents remember me too, pray ask them to accept my kind regards. I have often spoken of them and described them to Mr. Lewes.
I imagine "Maman" looking beautiful with the beauty of age -- as upright as ever, and still a presiding genius of order and comfort in the household. It is very pretty that her sister can still travel all the way from Trieste to spend the summer months with her.
We are increasingly happy, although the years carry away with them some of our physical strength and buoyancy. Our life is absolutely untroubled, and I grow much more cheerful as I grow older. We have good news (though too rarely) from our exiled boys in S. Africa, and Charlie's lot is altogether satisfactory to us -- prospering outwardly, and with evidence of constant improvement in his mind and character.
We should often remain longer on the Continent than the two months which we usually allow ourselves at a time, but that Mr. Lewes's mother is now very aged (82) and does not of course like him to go very far beyond easy reach for months together. Otherwise, we should perhaps carry out a plan of going to the East, before we get too old for that daring enterprise.
My poem has been a great source of added happiness to me -- all the more, or rather principally because it has been a deeper joy to Mr. Lewes than any work I have done before. I seem to have gained a new organ, a new medium that my nature had languished for. The public, here and in America, has received it very kindly, and it has sold well.
I care for the sale, not in a monetary light (for one does not write poems as the most marketable commodity) [but] because sale means large distribution. We are so happy now as to be independent of all monetary considerations, and Mr. Lewes plunges at his will into the least lucrative of studies, while I on my side follow tastes not much in keeping with those of our noisy, hurrying, ostentatious times. Mr. Lewes begs to be included in all kind remembrances, and I am always, dear friend, both to you and "Maman"
Your grateful and affectionate
M. E. Lewes.
I feared that English verse could hardly be a pleasure to you, but my book will at least be a sort of imperfect conversation with me.
MS: Harvard. Mostly published: Cross, New Edition, pp. 430-431.
The Priory | 21 North Bank | London.
My dear Friend
Your welcome letter was forwarded to me in Germany whither we had set out at the beginning of June. When we found ourselves as far south as Basle, we indulged ourselves with the project of returning home by Geneva, but we finally gave up that pleasure for this year, because we feared that the long railway journeying it involved would not be good for us at the end of our sanitary excursions among the pinewoods and mountains of the Black Forest. But we look forward with hope to some other continental journey which will give us a route through Geneva. I long to see you and always-loved "Maman" again, and Mr. Lewes, besides the delight he takes in seeing those who have shewn me so much sympathy and kindness, wishes to make the acquaintance of some men of science who are your fellow-citizens.
It is always charming to me to read your letters. You have the happy talent of remembering all the little details which have associations in my memory, and so making a little picture of the life around you. For example, that son of M. Heyer 800 whom you mention as an "'c9tudiant en th'e9ologie," I remember to have seen standing on the table in my room as a tiny, pretty boy! If the excellent parents remember me too, pray ask them to accept my kind regards. I have often spoken of them and described them to Mr. Lewes.
I imagine "Maman" looking beautiful with the beauty of age -- as upright as ever, and still a presiding genius of order and comfort in the household. It is very pretty that her sister can still travel all the way from Trieste to spend the summer months with her.
We are increasingly happy, although the years carry away with them some of our physical strength and buoyancy. Our life is absolutely untroubled, and I grow much more cheerful as I grow older. We have good news (though too rarely) from our exiled boys in S. Africa, and Charlie's lot is altogether satisfactory to us -- prospering outwardly, and with evidence of constant improvement in his mind and character.
We should often remain longer on the Continent than the two months which we usually allow ourselves at a time, but that Mr. Lewes's mother is now very aged (82) and does not of course like him to go very far beyond easy reach for months together. Otherwise, we should perhaps carry out a plan of going to the East, before we get too old for that daring enterprise.
My poem has been a great source of added happiness to me -- all the more, or rather principally because it has been a deeper joy to Mr. Lewes than any work I have done before. I seem to have gained a new organ, a new medium that my nature had languished for. The public, here and in America, has received it very kindly, and it has sold well.
I care for the sale, not in a monetary light (for one does not write poems as the most marketable commodity) [but] because sale means large distribution. We are so happy now as to be independent of all monetary considerations, and Mr. Lewes plunges at his will into the least lucrative of studies, while I on my side follow tastes not much in keeping with those of our noisy, hurrying, ostentatious times. Mr. Lewes begs to be included in all kind remembrances, and I am always, dear friend, both to you and "Maman"
Your grateful and affectionate
M. E. Lewes.
I feared that English verse could hardly be a pleasure to you, but my book will at least be a sort of imperfect conversation with me.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, [July 1868], 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/92340