GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 25 November 1879
Title
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 25 November 1879
Title
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 25 November 1879
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Francois D'Albert-Durade
Date(s)
- 1879-11-25
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 25 November 1879
MS: Harvard. Mostly published: Cross, New Edition, pp. 603-604.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
November 25. 79.
My dear Friend
I am deeply obliged to you for your affectionate sympathy and to my dear venerable [Maman] for still bearing me in her heart.
I returned from the country at the beginning of this month, much restored in health after rather a painful illness which occupied most of the summer. I have nevertheless completed the two chief objects I had in view -- the editing of the final volume of my husband's work which will appear in December, and the founding of a Studentship of Physiology which bears his name and will perpetuate it in connection with the researches which most deeply interested him.
It seems wonderful to me that Madame d'Albert is more than 80 years of age! The years shrink as I look back through them and recal my first interview with her and you. It is very blessed that her mind is tranquil as well as clear. And your family is apparently a source of continual interest and satisfaction. What I should most dread for you is the solitude that will come when your beloved charge no longer needs your care. Imperative duties -- such as leave us in no doubt as to what we shall do next -- are the only condition that makes life easy, though we ignorantly rebel against those benignant bonds while we still have them.
Charles is very well and very happy, with an excellent wife and three little girls. He has an admirable moral character and is a useful man, but has not the least resemblance to his father intellectually. My friends are very good to me and I have many blessings. I try to interest myself in life and to keep my faculties in activity.
[Theophrastus Such] has had a very large sale in England and in the next edition will make the 20th volume of the Cabinet Edition of my works. I can well imagine that it is difficult to translate, and I rather shudder to think what the German translator will make of it -- probably turning the irony into heavy seriousness.
Pray give my reverent love to Madame d'Albert and believe me
Always yours with grateful affection
M. E. Lewes.
MS: Harvard. Mostly published: Cross, New Edition, pp. 603-604.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
November 25. 79.
My dear Friend
I am deeply obliged to you for your affectionate sympathy and to my dear venerable [Maman] for still bearing me in her heart.
I returned from the country at the beginning of this month, much restored in health after rather a painful illness which occupied most of the summer. I have nevertheless completed the two chief objects I had in view -- the editing of the final volume of my husband's work which will appear in December, and the founding of a Studentship of Physiology which bears his name and will perpetuate it in connection with the researches which most deeply interested him.
It seems wonderful to me that Madame d'Albert is more than 80 years of age! The years shrink as I look back through them and recal my first interview with her and you. It is very blessed that her mind is tranquil as well as clear. And your family is apparently a source of continual interest and satisfaction. What I should most dread for you is the solitude that will come when your beloved charge no longer needs your care. Imperative duties -- such as leave us in no doubt as to what we shall do next -- are the only condition that makes life easy, though we ignorantly rebel against those benignant bonds while we still have them.
Charles is very well and very happy, with an excellent wife and three little girls. He has an admirable moral character and is a useful man, but has not the least resemblance to his father intellectually. My friends are very good to me and I have many blessings. I try to interest myself in life and to keep my faculties in activity.
[Theophrastus Such] has had a very large sale in England and in the next edition will make the 20th volume of the Cabinet Edition of my works. I can well imagine that it is difficult to translate, and I rather shudder to think what the German translator will make of it -- probably turning the irony into heavy seriousness.
Pray give my reverent love to Madame d'Albert and believe me
Always yours with grateful affection
M. E. Lewes.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 25 November 1879, 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/92357