GE to George Smith, London, 23 December 1866
Title
GE to George Smith, London, 23 December 1866
Title
GE to George Smith, London, 23 December 1866
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
George Smith
Date(s)
- 1866-12-23
Place
London
Letter Content
GE to George Smith, London, 23 December 1866
MS: Parrish Collection, Princeton. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
December 23. 66.
My dear Sir
I certainly never had a prettier surprize than that which came to me last night. In one sense, indeed, it was not a surprize, because it came from you, who have in so many instances shown me the most thoughtful, delicate kindness. It will please you to know that I have often longed for a furnished travelling bag, and have denied it to myself as too great an indulgence. For I am a luxurious person with an uneasy conscience. Not that I had ever conceived anything of the sort quite so beautiful as what you have given me -- with my initials on everything, and so complete that it not only anticipates wants but suggests and supplies them. You would have been amused to see us two old children take every single thing out and admire and wonder. We were both delighted. To like a gift, one must thoroughly like the giver -- and I assure you I like my bag, and am very proud of it.
I value the good wishes too, and alas there is much to be wished for in my dear husband's condition. I am very anxious about him, and am quite sure that the sudden resolve to leave the work undone and lose no time in seeking the influence of sunshine and pleasant breezes, is the only wise resolve for us.
But we both regret that we have not seen you beforehand. It would have been a satisfaction to have had a long chat with you -- a pleasure which occurs too rarely -- and to hear from your own lips that you look back with solid gratification on the hard and serviceable work you have been doing these last two years.
I am sure you believe in our hearty sympathy, and in our sincere wish that in the coming year all good results towards which you are working may grow continually, while anxieties diminish.
Believe me, my dear Sir,
Yours with high regard
M. E. Lewes.
George Smith Esq.
MS: Parrish Collection, Princeton. Hitherto unpublished.
The Priory, | 21. North Bank, | Regents Park.
December 23. 66.
My dear Sir
I certainly never had a prettier surprize than that which came to me last night. In one sense, indeed, it was not a surprize, because it came from you, who have in so many instances shown me the most thoughtful, delicate kindness. It will please you to know that I have often longed for a furnished travelling bag, and have denied it to myself as too great an indulgence. For I am a luxurious person with an uneasy conscience. Not that I had ever conceived anything of the sort quite so beautiful as what you have given me -- with my initials on everything, and so complete that it not only anticipates wants but suggests and supplies them. You would have been amused to see us two old children take every single thing out and admire and wonder. We were both delighted. To like a gift, one must thoroughly like the giver -- and I assure you I like my bag, and am very proud of it.
I value the good wishes too, and alas there is much to be wished for in my dear husband's condition. I am very anxious about him, and am quite sure that the sudden resolve to leave the work undone and lose no time in seeking the influence of sunshine and pleasant breezes, is the only wise resolve for us.
But we both regret that we have not seen you beforehand. It would have been a satisfaction to have had a long chat with you -- a pleasure which occurs too rarely -- and to hear from your own lips that you look back with solid gratification on the hard and serviceable work you have been doing these last two years.
I am sure you believe in our hearty sympathy, and in our sincere wish that in the coming year all good results towards which you are working may grow continually, while anxieties diminish.
Believe me, my dear Sir,
Yours with high regard
M. E. Lewes.
George Smith Esq.
Signature
M. E. Lewes.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to George Smith, London, 23 December 1866, 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/92508