GE to Mrs. Albert Druce, Witley, 26 November 1880
Title
GE to Mrs. Albert Druce, Witley, 26 November 1880
Title
GE to Mrs. Albert Druce, Witley, 26 November 1880
Sender
George Eliot
Recipient
Mrs. Albert Druce
Date(s)
- 1880-11-26
Place
Witley
Letter Content
GE to Mrs. Albert Druce, Witley, 26 November 1880
Text: Copy by Miss Elsie Druce, who owns the MS. Hitherto unpublished.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
November 26. 80.
My dear Anna
I should have written to you yesterday but that I tired myself out with packing books. For though Johnnie had written in answer to your affectionate wish that we should take refuge with you, I naturally wanted to say my word. It was that I felt a little displeased with circumstances for hindering us from being with you and Albert again after these three months in which I at least have had no glimpse of you and I am afraid you have not seen quite enough of Johnnie to know how well he looks and how stalwart he has become. Did you know that he had been doing exploits in hewing down trees, or was it a pretty chance that the picture which he brought me word of yesterday as your and Albert's very welcome present will be a record to us of his woodsmanship as well as your goodness? It seems that a picture was of all things the most needed ornament and illumination for the panelling of our back drawingroom. I am quite a stranger to the house, not having seen it since the painting has been finished. But I am to begin my nearer acquaintance with it next Monday, for Johnnie has finally decided that we shall give up Winchester and simply take up our abode in some Kensington Hotel he knows of, so that we may overlook our servants' preparations, and supply any want that may disclose itself. Your information about Fever at Winchester helps the rain and howling wind to confirm the wisdom of his decision. I shall be so glad for his sake when we are fairly settled, for he has had all the trouble on his shoulders, and I have been unable to help him.
Surely we shall have a chance of seeing you oftener when we are in London. It is rather hard, since people often grumble at seeing too much of their relatives, that we who are with reason very fond of our brothers and sisters should not be able to see enough of them. Much grateful love to you and Albert for all your goodness from
Your affectionate Sister
M. A. Cross.
A man is come to hang up some prints and sconces from the Priory so I have been finishing in a hurry.
Text: Copy by Miss Elsie Druce, who owns the MS. Hitherto unpublished.
The Heights, Witley, | Nr. Godalming.
November 26. 80.
My dear Anna
I should have written to you yesterday but that I tired myself out with packing books. For though Johnnie had written in answer to your affectionate wish that we should take refuge with you, I naturally wanted to say my word. It was that I felt a little displeased with circumstances for hindering us from being with you and Albert again after these three months in which I at least have had no glimpse of you and I am afraid you have not seen quite enough of Johnnie to know how well he looks and how stalwart he has become. Did you know that he had been doing exploits in hewing down trees, or was it a pretty chance that the picture which he brought me word of yesterday as your and Albert's very welcome present will be a record to us of his woodsmanship as well as your goodness? It seems that a picture was of all things the most needed ornament and illumination for the panelling of our back drawingroom. I am quite a stranger to the house, not having seen it since the painting has been finished. But I am to begin my nearer acquaintance with it next Monday, for Johnnie has finally decided that we shall give up Winchester and simply take up our abode in some Kensington Hotel he knows of, so that we may overlook our servants' preparations, and supply any want that may disclose itself. Your information about Fever at Winchester helps the rain and howling wind to confirm the wisdom of his decision. I shall be so glad for his sake when we are fairly settled, for he has had all the trouble on his shoulders, and I have been unable to help him.
Surely we shall have a chance of seeing you oftener when we are in London. It is rather hard, since people often grumble at seeing too much of their relatives, that we who are with reason very fond of our brothers and sisters should not be able to see enough of them. Much grateful love to you and Albert for all your goodness from
Your affectionate Sister
M. A. Cross.
A man is come to hang up some prints and sconces from the Priory so I have been finishing in a hurry.
Signature
M. A. Cross.
Citation
George Eliot, GE to Mrs. Albert Druce, Witley, 26 November 1880, 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/93190