GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, Rome, 17 April 1860
Title
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, Rome, 17 April 1860
Title
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, Rome, 17 April 1860
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Francois D'Albert-Durade
Date(s)
- 1860-04-17
Place
Rome
Letter Content
GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, Rome, 17 April 1860
Text: Cross, New Edition, pp. 310-311.
I think you have made rapid progress with the translation, 503 seeing that you can only use fringes of time for it. It is a very sweet thought to me that the work may be a source of some pleasure to you and Maman (I am very glad to be assured that I may still say "Maman," for that is the name by which she has always gone in my silent memory). 504 It will interest you, perhaps, to know that it is translated into Hungarian, and the first volume is fairly rendered into German -- possibly the second also by this time.
You see I am counting on your and Maman's interest in everything that belongs to me. I do not write about Rome: you have read much better things on that subject than I can tell you. But no one can tell you about myself, unless I take upon me that agreeable labour.
What a delight it would be to take the old walks in Geneva once more! But I fear there are many changes that would check the current of my memory. And the change from the old to the new is always painful to us who are getting old and living more and more in the past. Tell Maman I enter now into her conservative feelings, which I used inwardly to disapprove in my revolutionary mood -- the mood I was in when you knew me.
You will forgive me for writing hastily and briefly, and will understand that temporary preoccupation with the wonderful place I am in is not indifference to other things. With affectionate regards to Maman, I am always yours, with sincere and faithful friendship.
Text: Cross, New Edition, pp. 310-311.
I think you have made rapid progress with the translation, 503 seeing that you can only use fringes of time for it. It is a very sweet thought to me that the work may be a source of some pleasure to you and Maman (I am very glad to be assured that I may still say "Maman," for that is the name by which she has always gone in my silent memory). 504 It will interest you, perhaps, to know that it is translated into Hungarian, and the first volume is fairly rendered into German -- possibly the second also by this time.
You see I am counting on your and Maman's interest in everything that belongs to me. I do not write about Rome: you have read much better things on that subject than I can tell you. But no one can tell you about myself, unless I take upon me that agreeable labour.
What a delight it would be to take the old walks in Geneva once more! But I fear there are many changes that would check the current of my memory. And the change from the old to the new is always painful to us who are getting old and living more and more in the past. Tell Maman I enter now into her conservative feelings, which I used inwardly to disapprove in my revolutionary mood -- the mood I was in when you knew me.
You will forgive me for writing hastily and briefly, and will understand that temporary preoccupation with the wonderful place I am in is not indifference to other things. With affectionate regards to Maman, I am always yours, with sincere and faithful friendship.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Francois D'Albert-Durade, Rome, 17 April 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/92373