GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 28 November 1862(2)
Title
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 28 November 1862(2)
Title
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 28 November 1862(2)
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Francois D'Albert-Durade
Date(s)
- 1862-11-28
Place
London
Letter Content
Ge to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 28 November 1862
Text: Copy by D'Albert-Durade in the Tinker Collection, Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Blandford Square | November 28. 62.
Dear Friend
Before you receive this note you will probably have received another, which I wrote this morning to thank you for the copies of "Silas Marner."
As to the title of the Mill, I think your publishers reasonably fear that the enigmatic "Moulin sur la Floss" may be disadvantageous. I have no objection to that title being thrown overboard altogether and the substitution for it of "La Famille Tulliver" -- which, by the by, Charlie told me you had decided on when he was with you. I strongly object to "Amour et Devoir," but I have not any repugnance [to] a change for the better. Perhaps it would be well to put "Le Moulin sur la Floss" as the second title -- but do what you think best in the matter.
Only resist to the death anything of the same [genre as] "Amour et Devoir."
Your letter assures me of what I wanted to know -- that all is well with you and Madame D'Albert, and my letter of this morning will have carried the same news to you about ourselves.
Yes, "Silas" looks very pretty in its French dress. In England many of my readers prefer it to all my other writings; but it is intensely English.
I am glad you are translating the Scenes of Clerical Life, because Maman will know them [by] that means, and I love the thought of her knowing something I write. Once more best love to you both.
M. E. Lewes.
You will see that I too have written hastily.
Text: Copy by D'Albert-Durade in the Tinker Collection, Yale. Hitherto unpublished.
Blandford Square | November 28. 62.
Dear Friend
Before you receive this note you will probably have received another, which I wrote this morning to thank you for the copies of "Silas Marner."
As to the title of the Mill, I think your publishers reasonably fear that the enigmatic "Moulin sur la Floss" may be disadvantageous. I have no objection to that title being thrown overboard altogether and the substitution for it of "La Famille Tulliver" -- which, by the by, Charlie told me you had decided on when he was with you. I strongly object to "Amour et Devoir," but I have not any repugnance [to] a change for the better. Perhaps it would be well to put "Le Moulin sur la Floss" as the second title -- but do what you think best in the matter.
Only resist to the death anything of the same [genre as] "Amour et Devoir."
Your letter assures me of what I wanted to know -- that all is well with you and Madame D'Albert, and my letter of this morning will have carried the same news to you about ourselves.
Yes, "Silas" looks very pretty in its French dress. In England many of my readers prefer it to all my other writings; but it is intensely English.
I am glad you are translating the Scenes of Clerical Life, because Maman will know them [by] that means, and I love the thought of her knowing something I write. Once more best love to you both.
M. E. Lewes.
You will see that I too have written hastily.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 28 November 1862(2), 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/92363