GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 6 December 1860
Title
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 6 December 1860
Title
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 6 December 1860
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Francois D'Albert-Durade,
Date(s)
- 1860-12-06
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade,, London, 6 December 1860
MS: Huntington Library. Extracts published: Cross, New Edition, p. 328.
Harewood Square | London | December 6. 1860.
My dear Friend
The two copies of your '91Adam Bede'92 reached me in all safety two or three days ago. 666 Very pleasant they were to see in their pure white covers, which I greatly prefer to the favourite French yellow. At present
I have only read the chapters containing Hetty's wanderings 667 which I find faithfully rendered; but Mr. Lewes has read much more and declares himself well satisfied with the translation. It will never cease to be a happy thought to me, dear friend, that you and Maman have spent pleasant hours over my books.
I think it will be wise to adopt the title you suggest "le Moulin de Dorlcote" instead of "sur la Floss"; 668 but on this point I leave you to decide according to your final impressions, when the decision becomes necessary. Here in England the public is about equally divided in opinion about my two last books -- some preferring "Adam," some "The Mill"; but I agree with you that the French readers are likely to find the first volume of the latter too long. My delight in the pictures of childhood led me into what the Germans call an "epic breadth," which to many may perhaps be an epic tediousness. Altogether I should think my mind is one of those most remote from the French standard. What a detail that is which you mention, about the rejection of Maman's apt quotation, 669 lest the book should have a religious air!
I am grieved to hear that you have had sickness in your family. One enters into that trouble with more thorough sympathy when one's own body is not strong. But I am much better now, after a course of tonics, and I think it probable that I have now overcome the first effect of entering the more relaxing atmosphere of town. We shall soon be in our own house -- 16, Blandford Square: 670 so that if you write after the middle of this month, please to address to us there.
Our second boy, Thornton, is established at Edinburgh to our entire satisfaction, having just that mixture of stimulus to study, and social intercourse, which we desired for him. Charles is dearer every day. He often mentions you, and begs to be kindly remembered by you.
Mr. Lewes begs me to thank you for your kind attention to his request about the schools. Mr. Trollope is a friend of ours who has exerted himself so obligingly on behalf of our son Charles, that we should be glad to be able to procure him any useful information.
So you too have abominable weather! Here there is almost unintermittent rain and fog -- a perpetual blanket over our heads, and I irritate myself with thinking that in the country, though it might rain, I should still see some moving clouds. I languish sadly for the fields and the broad sky; but duties must be done, and Charles's moral education requires that he should have at once a home near to his business and the means of recreation easily within his reach. In three years, I hope, we shall be free to go beyond the smoke for ever. -- I wonder if you will come to London again some time, and let us have the pleasure of welcoming you to our home?
Give my tender love to Maman, and assure her that she does me good by the distant thought of her. My husband joins cordially in all affectionate wishes towards her and yourself, and I am always dear Friend,
Yours faithfully
Marian Evans Lewes.
MS: Huntington Library. Extracts published: Cross, New Edition, p. 328.
Harewood Square | London | December 6. 1860.
My dear Friend
The two copies of your '91Adam Bede'92 reached me in all safety two or three days ago. 666 Very pleasant they were to see in their pure white covers, which I greatly prefer to the favourite French yellow. At present
I have only read the chapters containing Hetty's wanderings 667 which I find faithfully rendered; but Mr. Lewes has read much more and declares himself well satisfied with the translation. It will never cease to be a happy thought to me, dear friend, that you and Maman have spent pleasant hours over my books.
I think it will be wise to adopt the title you suggest "le Moulin de Dorlcote" instead of "sur la Floss"; 668 but on this point I leave you to decide according to your final impressions, when the decision becomes necessary. Here in England the public is about equally divided in opinion about my two last books -- some preferring "Adam," some "The Mill"; but I agree with you that the French readers are likely to find the first volume of the latter too long. My delight in the pictures of childhood led me into what the Germans call an "epic breadth," which to many may perhaps be an epic tediousness. Altogether I should think my mind is one of those most remote from the French standard. What a detail that is which you mention, about the rejection of Maman's apt quotation, 669 lest the book should have a religious air!
I am grieved to hear that you have had sickness in your family. One enters into that trouble with more thorough sympathy when one's own body is not strong. But I am much better now, after a course of tonics, and I think it probable that I have now overcome the first effect of entering the more relaxing atmosphere of town. We shall soon be in our own house -- 16, Blandford Square: 670 so that if you write after the middle of this month, please to address to us there.
Our second boy, Thornton, is established at Edinburgh to our entire satisfaction, having just that mixture of stimulus to study, and social intercourse, which we desired for him. Charles is dearer every day. He often mentions you, and begs to be kindly remembered by you.
Mr. Lewes begs me to thank you for your kind attention to his request about the schools. Mr. Trollope is a friend of ours who has exerted himself so obligingly on behalf of our son Charles, that we should be glad to be able to procure him any useful information.
So you too have abominable weather! Here there is almost unintermittent rain and fog -- a perpetual blanket over our heads, and I irritate myself with thinking that in the country, though it might rain, I should still see some moving clouds. I languish sadly for the fields and the broad sky; but duties must be done, and Charles's moral education requires that he should have at once a home near to his business and the means of recreation easily within his reach. In three years, I hope, we shall be free to go beyond the smoke for ever. -- I wonder if you will come to London again some time, and let us have the pleasure of welcoming you to our home?
Give my tender love to Maman, and assure her that she does me good by the distant thought of her. My husband joins cordially in all affectionate wishes towards her and yourself, and I am always dear Friend,
Yours faithfully
Marian Evans Lewes.
Signature
Marian Evans Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, London, 6 December 1860, 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/92370